Former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg is opening his deep pockets and is committing to spend $100 million to help Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden win the state of Florida.
The $100 million, according to a spokeswoman for the effort, “will be used to turn out voters for Joe Biden in Florida” through a mix of television and digital ads, in both English and Spanish with a key focus on Hispanic voters.
The one-time Democratic presidential candidate decided to put in that large of an amount in Florida after the New York Times reported that was later confirmed by Trump that he is prepared to spend millions in support of his reelection effort.
The goal from Bloomberg’s personal super PAC, Independence USA is to force President Trump’s campaign to spend heavily in Florida, leaving Republicans with less to spend elsewhere so the Biden campaign is free to spend its own money in other key states such as Pennsylvania.
“Mike’s substantial investment in Florida, in addition to his contributions to the DNC and to voter protection and restoration efforts this cycle, will mean Democrats and the Biden campaign can invest even more heavily in other key states like Pennsylvania, which will be critical to a Biden victory,” Bloomberg adviser Kevin Sheekey said in a statement. “And, this will force Republicans and the Trump campaign to shift even more of their limited resources to Florida.”
An NBC News/Marist College poll released last week shows the race in a dead heat in the Sunshine State with both Trump and Biden each garnering support of 48% of likely voters. The survey also shows Trump garnering 50% to Biden 46% of the Latino vote.
The Cook Political Report moved Florida last week from “lean Democrat” to “toss-up,” and recent polls show Biden struggling with Hispanic voters.
President Trump reacted to the announcement, advising Bloomberg to “Save NYC instead.”
“I thought Mini Mike was through with Democrat politics after spending almost 2 Billion Dollars, and then giving the worst and most inept Debate Performance in the history of Presidential Politics. Pocahontas ended his political career on first question, OVER! Save NYC instead.”
I thought Mini Mike was through with Democrat politics after spending almost 2 Billion Dollars, and then giving the worst and most inept Debate Performance in the history of Presidential Politics. Pocahontas ended his political career on first question, OVER! Save NYC instead. https://t.co/WgbVvEUt2N
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 13, 2020
However, the pledge from the Billionaire follows criticism from within the Democratic Party that Bloomberg had not delivered on his promise to put his fortune behind defeating President Trump. According to the New York Times, Democratic groups that approached Bloomberg were told by his aides that the former mayor had not yet approved any spending in the presidential race.
Biden holds a slim, 1.2 percentage-point advantage over Trump in Florida, according to RealClearPolitics average of recent polls.
20202020 Election2020 Presidential RaceCook Political ReportFloridaIndependence USAJoe BidenMike BloombergNBC NewsPresident TrumpReal Clear Politics
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