Andrew Gillum, the Florida Democratic Party’s nominee for Florida governor sent the following letter to Puerto Ricans regarding Hurricane Maria recovery:

Friends,

Today, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the one-year anniversary since Hurricane Maria ravaged the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

I want to start off by saying that we stand in solidarity with you here in the state of Florida, I still believe, as many of you do, that the way in which our government responded to our fellow U.S. citizens was a complete disaster.

You deserved better. Puerto Rico deserved better. Our nation deserved better. And again, I want you to know here in the state of Florida we stand in solidarity with you.

We’ll do everything that we can to be a strong helpmate to you. For those of you who have decided to relocate to the state of Florida, we want to make sure that you have access to the services and the support that you need to get back on your feet. And whether you choose to go back to Puerto Rico or permanently call Florida your home, we want to embrace you.

Hopefully, as the next Governor of the state of Florida, not only will we be friends in times of natural disaster and the aftermaths of natural disasters,, but in educational exchange and cultural exchange and economic exchange. We’re going to be a real partner.

I enjoyed my time visiting Puerto Rico, getting to know the people in the most populated parts but also in the interior of the island. You can expect that we’ll make another trip once we win this race and build a lasting friendship that will carry us over the ages.

Again, we salute you. We are in solidarity with you today as we commemorate one year since that hurricane. Let us commit to ensuring that the response that you experienced never happens again.

In solidarity,

Andrew Gillum