Former President Barack Obama has announced his support for Democrat Andrew Gillum's bid in the Florida gubernatorial race along with endorsing Democratic U.S. Senator Bill Nelson's re-election campaign.

“Andrew is a proven fighter with the courage and determination to stand up for Florida families. As governor, Andrew will expand access to affordable healthcare, protect Floridians with pre-existing conditions, invest in education, protect the environment and build an economy that works for all. Andrew believes that healthcare is a right, not a privilege, and he will make expanding Medicaid a priority on day one as governor,” President Barack Obama said in a statement released by the Gillum campaign.

Gillum, who is Tallahassee’s mayor, is running against Republican Ron DeSantis, who resigned his District 6 seat in the U.S. House to focus on the governor's race.

“It is truly an honor to receive the endorsement and support of President Barack Obama. He exemplifies true patriotism and characterizes the American values that both the country and Florida are striving to recapture,” said Gillum. DeSantis has been endorsed by President Donald Trump.

Obama has also endorsed Senator Bill Nelson’s reelection bid against outgoing Gov. Rick Scott.

Today, I’m proud to endorse even more Democratic candidates who aren’t just running against something, but for something—to expand opportunity for all of us and to restore dignity, honor, and compassion to public service. They deserve your vote: pic.twitter.com/NO5jnhX3XD — Barack Obama (@BarackObama) October 1, 2018

Nelson also picked up an endorsement from Puerto Rican Gov. Ricardo Rosselló on Monday. "I am grateful for his longstanding relationship for the people of Puerto Rico and I am proud to say that I am endorsing Bill Nelson for, once again, being the senator of Florida and helping represent the people of Puerto Rico," Rosselló said at a news conference in Orlando Monday.

Bill Bortzfield can be reached at bbortzfield@wjct.org, 904-358-6349 or on Twitter at @BortzInJax.