Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersTrump, Biden will not shake hands at first debate due to COVID-19 Sanders tells Maher 'there will be a number of plans' to remove Trump if he loses Sirota reacts to report of harassment, doxing by Harris supporters MORE (I-Vt.) will hold a rally Wednesday at the University of Central Florida to boost gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum (D).

The event will be held the same day as a President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden says voters should choose who nominates Supreme Court justice Trump, Biden will not shake hands at first debate due to COVID-19 Pelosi: Trump Supreme Court pick 'threatens' Affordable Care Act MORE rally in Southwest Florida to boost Gillum’s opponent, former Rep. Ron DeSantis Ron DeSantisOvernight Health Care: New wave of COVID-19 cases builds in US | Florida to lift all coronavirus restrictions on restaurants, bars | Trump stirs questions with 0 drug coupon plan On The Money: Half of states deplete funds for Trump's 0 unemployment expansion | EU appealing ruling in Apple tax case | House Democrats include more aid for airlines in coronavirus package Florida to lift all COVID-19 restrictions on restaurants, bars MORE (R).

Gillum and DeSantis are vying to replace term-limited Gov. Rick Scott (R), who is now running for Senate.

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The dueling rallies by Sanders and Trump are being planned as both sides seek to turn out their respective bases.

The race has turned into a slugfest in the final days.

DeSantis, a former congressman and staunch ally of Trump, was forced to confront a series of race-related controversies that have haunted his campaign since the day after Florida’s August primaries.

Meanwhile, Gillum, the progressive mayor of Tallahassee, is facing questions about a federal investigation into suspected corruption in his city hall, as well as records showing he accepted a ticket to the musical “Hamilton” from an undercover FBI agent who he believed was a local developer.

President Trump weighed in on the race this week, calling Gillum a “thief” in a tweet Monday, leading the Democrat to punch back.

“In Florida there is a choice between a Harvard/Yale educated man named @RonDeSantisFL who has been a great Congressman and will be a great Governor - and a Dem who is a thief and who is Mayor of poorly run Tallahassee, said to be one of the most corrupt cities in the Country!,” Trump said.

In Florida there is a choice between a Harvard/Yale educated man named @RonDeSantisFL who has been a great Congressman and will be a great Governor - and a Dem who is a thief and who is Mayor of poorly run Tallahassee, said to be one of the most corrupt cities in the Country! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 29, 2018

“I heard @realDonaldTrump ran home to @FoxNews to lie about me. But as my grandmother told me — never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty, but the pig likes it. So ignore him and vote, Florida!” Gillum responded after Trump was interviewed on Fox News Monday night.

I heard @realDonaldTrump ran home to @FoxNews to lie about me. But as my grandmother told me — never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty, but the pig likes it. So ignore him and vote, Florida! — Andrew Gillum (@AndrewGillum) October 30, 2018

The Cook Political Report rates the race as a “toss up,” and an average of polls calculated by RealClearPolitics has Gillum up three points.

Sanders visits Florida, a crucial swing state in presidential elections, amid widespread speculation the Senator will run for president again in two years.