Gillum, DeSantis Make South Florida Campaign Stops

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FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) - The Governor's race is heating up with both candidates heavily campaigning in South Florida this week.

Democrat Andrew Gillum made stops in Broward and Miami Dade Friday while Republican Ron DeSantis visited a Jewish day school in Boca Raton.

Gillum arrived to cheers and hugs at his campaign headquarters in Plantation Friday morning where he picked up the endorsement of 'Moms Demand Action' the grassroots movement advocating stronger gun laws.

"I don't believe it's extreme to say that guns that shoot 60 bullets a second have no place in our society," said Gillum.

MDA member Heather Chapman whose daughter survived the Stoneman Douglas massacre last February was there supporting Gillum.

"The fact we're talking about it is a step forward," said Chapman.

Broward Sheriff Scott Israel says he's supporting Gillum for governor and Gillum said he was happy to accept the support.

Opponent Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis was critical of that endorsement when he made a stop Friday afternoon at the Katz Hillel Day School in Boca Raton.

"The sheriff failed the folks of Parkland. I'm a Navy veteran and if a ship runs aground the captain is relieved of duty" said DeSantis.

While visiting the school, Desantis says he favors maximizing school choice for Florida families and keeping scholarships for low-income students intact.

DeSantis says he will be unveiling a school security plan soon.

As for his views on gun reform, DeSantis said.

"I want to make sure anyone with mental problems or is violent or has a criminal record has access to zero guns," he said.