Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, the Democratic nominee for Florida Governor, will remain off the campaign trail until at least Wednesday while his community recovers from Hurricane Michael. That means the first gubernatorial debate will likely be canceled.

“I’m as eager to get back out there talking to folks,” Gillum said in a Facebook message to supporters. “I still believe in the possibilities that lie ahead to transform our state.… But we’ve got to get this job done here first.”

Gillum was set to appear at a Telemundo debate with Republican gubernatorial nominee Ron DeSantis on Tuesday in Orlando.

“Over the past several days I have been unable to participate in dozens of campaign events, and this week that will include our participation in the debate sponsored by Telemundo 31 Orlando,” Gillum later said in a statement.

“I deeply appreciate the organizers’ understanding of the situation in Tallahassee. We will work diligently to ensure Telemundo and its audience are represented in the two scheduled debates and other possible forums.”

Gillum noted the Tallahassee City Commission will hold a meeting on Wednesday evening. By that point, Gillum said, officials hope to restore power for 90 percent of city residents. But, right now, the city remains heavily impacted by the storm.

“My first priority, my first job,” Gillum said, “is to be the Mayor and to do that job as effectively as I can. To that end, we’re still here in Tallahassee and not able to get back on the trail yet.”

Gillum spokesman Geoff Burgan announced the news on Saturday afternoon.

That prompted political analyst Steve Schale to note Gillum’s electoral success will rely on the candidate succeeding at the job he already holds.

“As the old saying goes, you do well by doing good,” Schale said. “He’s done a great job this week.”

Gillum left the campaign trail on Sunday when the storm, still a tropical storm, threatened the coast. Ultimately, the storm grew to greater strength than Hurricane Andrew, recalibrating schedules for a number of candidates.

But Gillum also noted Tallahassee didn’t bear the brunt of the storm. “We are extremely thankful that our community was able to, frankly, dodge what could have been a significantly more impactful storm,” he said.

Still, some 110,000 Tallahassee residents lost power at some point.

But because areas like Bay County and Mexico City suffered worse harm, Gillum said, and regional response remains important for Panhandle leaders.

He apologized to supporters who looked forward to seeing Gillum speak at campaign events, but asked they continue to represent his vision on the trail.

He hoped by week’s end, he could “get ourselves back on the trail with the rest of you working to flip Florida.”