In his senatorial re-election bid against Governor Rick Scott, Senator Bill Nelson has mostly been on the defensive. Governor Scott is outspending him in money by releasing several advertisements, and recent polls are showing that the Governor has a lead over Senator Nelson. Most recently, a poll released by Florida International University showed that Governor Scott was better-liked and better-known among Puerto Ricans.
On Saturday, Senator Nelson took time to discuss healthcare and education in St. Petersburg with leaders of the African-American Pastoral Alliance and the Tampa Bay Ministerial Alliance.
Nelson commented that "These leaders are on the front lines. They know their communities and the issues they face every day. We will continue to work together to fight for the millions of Floridians in need of health care, address the hundreds of thousands in need of affordable housing, to reduce gun violence, and to stop the continued attack on public education.”
Frank Peterman, Pastor of the Rock of Jesus Missionary Baptist Church, noted his support of Senator Nelson by explaining that "There could not be more at stake and we need Bill Nelson in the Senate fighting for all Floridians. Senator Nelson has fought to protect affordable health care and housing, the environment, for commonsense gun reform, and while some other elected officials have remained largely silent, Senator Nelson is demanding answers about thousands of children being cruelly separated from their mothers and fathers.”