Presidential candidates will shift their focus to Florida following Monday’s presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, with both heading straight to the Sunshine State to campaign this week.
Clinton and Trump will both make several stops around the state. Florida, home to 29 electoral votes, is generally considered a “must-win” state for any presidential candidate hoping to sit in the Oval Office, so both candidates have honed in their focus on Florida in recent weeks.
Less than 24 hours after he takes the stage with Clinton Monday evening, Trump will join Reince Preibus and Ballard Partners’ Brian Ballard for $25,000 per-head luncheon in Miami.
Later, he’ll head to Melbourne for a rally Tuesday evening at the Orlando Melbourne Airport where he’ll address supporters.
Hillary Clinton will make stops in South Florida at the end of the week, making campaign appearances in St. Lucie and Broward Counties, but specific times and places where she would make stops were not yet available.
Former president Bill Clinton will also be campaigning on Hillary Clinton’s behalf this week, heading out on a bus tour through North Florida. He’ll make stops throughout the Panhandle beginning Friday before heading to the East Coast to campaign.
The economy will be at the center of President Clinton’s campaign stops.
“At public events in Panama City, Tallahassee, and Jacksonville, with additional stops along the way, President Clinton will talk to Floridians about Hillary Clinton’s plans to build an economy that works for all, not just those at the top,” the Clinton campaign campaign stated.
Former president Clinton hasn’t been to Florida since July, when he opened up a campaign headquarters for his wife in Jacksonville.
Vice presidential candidates also spent time in made appearances in Florida over the last week. Republican vice presidential Mike Pence was in Jacksonville last week and Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine was in Miami Sunday evening.
While Clinton debates Trump in New York, Kaine will continue his Florida tour and will head to Lakeland Monday afternoon. He’ll later make his way to Central Florida and participate in an invitation-only roundtable with Latino Faith Leaders later Monday.
Kaine will then participate in a LGBT debate watch party in Orlando with the Human Rights Campaign.
The first of three debates begins at 9 p.m. tomorrow evening and will be held at Hofstra University in New York City.
Reach reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen.
