Facing an unexpectedly aggressive push from her opponent in Florida, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton tried to fire up supporters in Tampa Thursday with a high-energy rally that often saw the candidate tailor her message to problems facing the state.

Clinton, the former first lady and secretary of state, talked about boosting the Port of Tampa and addressing flooding problems in South Florida exacerbated by climate change. And she came back to the story of a Guatemalan immigrant living in Homestead who pleaded at Wednesday’s Democratic debate in Miami for less aggressive deportation policies, saying she hadn’t seen the father of her five children since he was deported three years ago.

“It was really a touching moment,” Clinton said, noting she met the woman afterwards and “could just feel the pride that emanated from her and her deep commitment to her children and their futures.”

“I’m running for president to break down all the barriers that stand in the way,” Clinton said.

Shoring up her support among Hispanics in Florida is one way Clinton may hope to neutralize Bernie Sanders, who also held campaign rallies across the state Thursday and is making Florida more of a priority after ignoring the state for months. Sanders has some momentum after an unexpected win in Michigan Tuesday.

Fighting to maintain her sizable lead in state polls, Clinton seemed eager to show off her knowledge of issues impacting Florida and local communities.

“Let’s just focus on a minute on two big areas that will be important here in Tampa and throughout Florida: Infrastructure and climate change,” Clinton said shortly into her 24-minute speech.

The candidate then proceeded to bash Republican Gov. Rick Scott on both issues.

Pointing out that the Port of Tampa supports 80,000 jobs, Clinton said “we have to do more to make sure Tampa stays a center for goods coming in and out” and bashed Scott for rejecting $3 billion in federal funding for a high-speed rail corridor connecting Tampa and Orlando.

“It makes absolutely no sense,” she said.

Clinton then went after Scott on climate change, referencing a news report –denied by Scott’s administration - that state workers had been told not to mention climate change in official communications.

“Maybe go down to Miami beach one day when now high tide is flooding the streets or maybe go talk to some of the water systems in Central Florida that are getting filled with salt water,” Clinton said. “You could actually make a tour of Florida and see some of the challenges we’re already confronting because of climate change. It is the height of irresponsibility and neglect for anybody in a position of authority not to recognize that Florida will be the most at risk from climate change of any other state.”

The crowd of roughly 800 responded enthusiastically, breaking into chants of “Hillary, Hillary.” The Ritz Ybor concert venue filled up more than an hour before Clinton spoke. About 300 people had to watch the speech on video feeds from overflow rooms.

Many in the crowd said they are supporting Clinton because of her experience.

“Hillary has been secretary of state, she’s been around the world, she’s much more capable,” said Fergus Benjamin, a 49-year-old native of Dominica in the Carribean who owns a cabinet and furniture company in Tampa.

Tampa resident Alicia Damiano, 32, worked as a volunteer for both of President Barack Obama’s campaigns and was an earl Clinton supporter. But she is clear-eyed about Clinton’s weaknesses and said Sanders, a U.S. senator from Vermont, is helping her overcome them.

“I love that Bernie’s still in it, I think he’s keeping Hillary honest,” Damiano said.

Clinton had a number of prominent supporters at the event Thursday. Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn introduced her, while U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa, warmed up the crowd. Former state Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink also was in the audience.

While Clinton largely avoided jabbing at Sanders - her only attack was on his plan to provide free college tuition to everyone, even wealthy people like "Donald Trump's kids and grandkids" - some of her supporters swang away.

Buckhorn said "I think the Bern got extinguished" by Clinton's debate performance Wednesday's debate.

Sink was more cautious.

"We live in strange times," she said. "I'm not taking anything for granted. We saw what happened in Michigan. We've got to make sure Hillary runs strong in Florida and I think she will."