Philip Levine qualifies for governor and blankets the Panhandle

James Call | Tallahassee Democrat

A clutch of volunteers, staff and reporters surrounded Philip Levine at his Tallahassee headquarters.

The Democratic candidate for governor had just secured a ballot spot for the August primary and now was establishing a Panhandle beachhead – a mile north of the state Capitol and a couple blocks east of the governor’s mansion Levine wants to move into.

The Tallahassee office is the campaign’s first in North Florida. Monday afternoon Levine would also open another in Panama City. He finished the day in Pensacola after opening a third. In the morning, it's on to Jacksonville to open a fourth.

“This is a big sweep of the Panhandle and we’re excited,” said Levine. “North Florida is important to the campaign and the entire election going forward.”

The pep talk Levine delivered at the Tallahassee office included a promise to volunteers that if they win he would be an impatient governor. Just like he was in building a business empire, he said. And as mayor who pursued a progressive agenda, as well.

The point of a governor’s campaign, said Levine, is to do big things, in education, health care and public transportation.

But first, he needed to take North Florida.

Levine’s plan to do that involves people. He wants the campaign to spread a message about what he has learned as a marketing mogul who made millions and as a self-described progressive mayor.

You must talk to people, he said. That is where success is found. He kicked out a leg to show he was wearing sneakers. You win, he said, by walking neighborhoods.

“That’s the essence of our democracy – talking to people,” said Levine. “Going and seeing them. Listening to them and explaining the reason for our campaign – so get good sneakers. There’s a tremendous opportunity in front of us.”

Among Democrats, Levine leads in the polls and he thinks he has a winning story. It's about how once he moved into the Miami Beach mayor's office, the city fought back against rising sea levels, broke a 20-year stalemate over building a new convention center, and improved police relations with the community.

“I did all those things and more,” said Levine. “(People) They need leadership. They need purpose and they need compensation. I believe the people who work in the state of Florida are missing leadership and also adequate and fair compensation.”

To that end, he said, he would support an increase in the minimum wage, “as high as we can get it,” and the authority for local governments to set a prevailing wage for their community.

Levine has spent about $8 million on a media campaign. For six months, until recently, he was the only candidate on the air. Gwen Graham commercials began airing in Central Florida last week. Billionaire Jeff Greene recently joined the race and has pledged to spend as much as it takes to win. His commercials begin airing this week.

Levine spent about a half hour with his Tallahassee supporters before he left for Panama City. As the crowd began to filter away, former Tallahassee City Commissioner Debbie Lightsey asked a Levine worker for a yard sign.

“He has a track record,” said Lightsey. “He’s more than just a nice speech. He’s done something.”

Reporter James Call can be reached at jcall@tallahassee.com.