Despite Spending Millions, Florida Dem Gov Candidate Philip Levine Fails To Move The Needle

The Florida Democrat gubernatorial field continues to flounder. Despite spending $1.3 million on radio and television advertising since early November, former Miami Beach mayor Philip Levine is failing to resonate with voters. In recent polling, Levine has remained stagnant with his support stuck in the mid-single digits.

Levine’s main appeal for Florida Democrats is his willingness to spend as much as $25 million of his own money on the race. This possibility is particularly attractive for Florida Democrats because his two main rivals, Gwen Graham and Andrew Gillum, have proven to be dismal fundraisers.

But Levine is quickly finding out that money without a compelling message will only get you so far. Even if Democrats turn to Levine in their desperation, his record of raising taxes, questions about his “bizarre” temperament, and accusations of “pay to play” under his watch would make him a weak candidate in the general election.

Florida POLITICO Playbook Reports:

“All About Florida, a political committee run by the former Miami Beach mayor, spent $1.3 million since the first week of November on a radio and television spots in media markets across the state. With 10 months before election day, this is not a page from the traditional political playbook. Making seven-figure ad buys this far out is usually seen as a waste of money, but money is something Levine will have. He has said he might put up to $25 million of his own cash into the race.

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In public polling, though, the needle has not moved much after the round of ads, which were focused most heavily in the West Palm Beach and Miami media markets. He still trails former Rep. Gwen Graham, who has led in most early Democratic primary polling, and Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum.”