As she enters the homestretch in the Florida Democratic presidential primary, former U.S. Sec. of State Hillary Clinton is relying heavily on the only member of her party to hold statewide office in the Sunshine State: U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson.
In the final days before Tuesday’s primary, Nelson has had no problem going to bat for Clinton. Nelson is currently in third term in the Senate and faces the voters again in 2018 when he will be 76. Nelson has said that he plans to run for a fourth term.
During the final weekend before the Florida Democratic primary on March 15, U.S. Senator Bill Nelson will campaign and get out the vote for Hillary Clinton across the Sunshine State. While speaking with supporters and volunteers, Nelson will outline how, as president, Clinton will break down the barriers that hold too many families back and build on President Obama's progress. Nelson will also discuss issues of equality and justice at a church service on Sunday.
Nelson spent a busy few days helping Clinton. On Friday, along with U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Fla., Nelson rallied Clinton supporters in Pompano Beach. Saturday saw Nelson headed north to Volusia County where he campaigned for Clinton in New Smyrna Beach. On Sunday, Nelson attended church service at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Eatonville and encouraged voters to back Clinton on Tuesday.
While Clinton is leading U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., in Florida polls, Nelson turned his fire toward him at the end of last week. After Clinton and Sanders sparred in a debate on Wednesday night, and Nelson went on CNN to jab the Vermont senator on immigration.
“Last night, I thought she was stellar on immigration, and there is a flaw for Bernie, who I love,” Nelson said. “Bernie is a great senator, but he voted against the signature issue which was the comprehensive immigration reform package. And he voted against it; Hillary voted for it. You can explain it away, as Bernie has tried, but at the end of the day it is either ‘Yea’ or ‘Nay.’”
Nelson is remaining active outside the presidential race. With Deutch running for another term in Congress, Nelson threw his support to the congressman on Friday.
"Ted is without a doubt one of the hardest working members of Congress I know," Nelson insisted. "I'm glad to have him as an ally in Washington standing up against special interests, advocating for our seniors and veterans, and working to protect the integrity of our elections."
"I've been proud to work alongside Senator Bill Nelson in Congress on issues like strengthening Social Security and protecting Florida's greatest environmental resources," said Deutch. "I'm looking forward to joining him in Pompano Beach and working with him in the days ahead to make sure Florida Democrats win in 2016."
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
