The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden’s virtual campaign swings through Florida

Welcome to The Hill’s Campaign Report, your daily rundown on all the latest news in the 2020 presidential, Senate and House races. Did someone forward this to you? Click here to subscribe.

We’re Julia Manchester, Max Greenwood and Jonathan Easley. Here’s what we’re watching today on the campaign trail. 

 

LEADING THE DAY: 

Former Vice President Joe Biden hit the virtual campaign trail in Florida on Thursday, highlighting the importance of the Sunshine State to the 2020 electoral map. 

Biden took part in a virtual roundtable with African American leaders in Jacksonville, including Rep. Al Lawson (D-Fla.), touching on a number of topics, including the killing of Ahmaud Arbery, an African-American man who was gunned down in February while jogging in Georgia by two armed white men. The former vice president told attendees at the roundtable that Arbery was “in a sense lynched before our very eyes.”

He also encouraged “Medicare for All” supporters to get behind his campaign, saying he was working with the movement’s strongest proponents of the policy about developing strategies to expand health care coverage without as much spending from the federal government. 

“For everyone who backed Medicare for All, join us,” he said.

Florida is shaping out to be a must-win state in November with its 29 electoral votes. 

Polls show Biden leading Trump in Florida. The Real Clear Politics polling average shows Biden leading Trump by 3.2 points. 

Trump won the state by roughly 1 point in 2016. He also has the advantage of a Republican governor in the state, Ron DeSantis, who happens to be one of his staunchest supporters. 

The contest in the Sunshine State could hinge in part on how the coronavirus plays out, and DeSantis’s handling of the crisis. The governor faced a mountain of criticism in March for not implementing a statewide stay-at-home order earlier. However, Florida has not become as much of a hot spot as other states such as New York, California and Michigan. This could bode well for Trump if DeSantis’s standing improves. 

However, it’s unclear how the state would handle a second wave of the virus, which would happen closer to November. We’ll also be watching for the results of the state’s multiphased reopening plan, which began earlier this week. If the economy improves by November and there are a fewer cases, that will bode well for Trump. But a prolonged public health crisis could leave Florida voters asking for new leadership in the White House.  

–Julia Manchester 

READ MORE:

Florida emerges as bright spot in COVID-19 fight, by Julia.

Biden urges investigation into shooting of Ahmaud Arbery, by Zack Budryk.

Tara Reade calls for Biden to drop out of presidential race, by Jonathan Easley.

FROM THE TRAIL:

Trump’s reelection campaign released a new ad hitting Biden over his stance on China. The ad marks the latest effort from the president’s reelection campaign to paint Biden as too friendly toward China, including clips of Biden saying “They’re not bad folks, folks” and “The growth of China is overwhelmingly in our interest.” The Hill’s Tal Axelrod has more.

Rep. Alexandrio Ocasio Cortez (D-N.Y.) said in an interview with NPR that Tara Reade’s allegations of sexual assault against Biden are not “clear cut.”

Biden says that if he’s elected president, he will reverse a rule issued by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos aimed at bolstering protections for students who are accused of sexual assault on university campuses. The rule is meant to ensure that those accused of sexual assault receive due process but Biden says it will “shame and silence” survivors of sexual assault. Jonathan reports.

 

PERSPECTIVES:

Barbara Perry: The good, the bad and the ugly of in-person presidential campaigns

Liz Peek: Biden still doesn’t have a campaign theme

Mathew Littman: For the Democratic Party, a chance to win out West

FROM CONGRESS & THE STATES:

AD WARS: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is punching back at his top Democratic challenger Amy McGrath in a new ad touting his leadership on a multitrillion dollar coronavirus relief package. The ad features testimonials from Kentuckians saying their businesses and jobs were saved by the relief bill. “Mitch helped keep my doors open,” one man says in the 30-second spot. The ad comes in response to a television spot rolled out by McGrath’s campaign last week accusing McConnell of bailing out large corporations and wealthy investors while refusing to back additional aid for Kentucky, while suggesting that the state “should just declare bankruptcy.”

The Lincoln Project, a Republican super PAC partly run by George Conway, is targeting GOP Sen. Martha McSally (Ariz.) in a new attack ad, marking the group’s first effort in a down ballot race. Tal reports.

An anti-Trump Republican group is advocating for lawmakers to help states prepare for mail-in ballots for the November election amid the coronavirus pandemic. Rebecca Klar reports.

 

POLL WATCH:

UMASS LOWELL – MASSACHUSETTS PRESIDENTIAL

Biden: 58 percent

Trump: 30 percent

 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

(Keep in mind these dates could change because of the outbreak.)

May 12:

Nebraska primaries

 

May 19:

Oregon primaries

 

May 22:

Hawaii Democratic primary

 

June 2:

Delaware primaries

District of Columbia primaries

Indiana primaries

Maryland primaries

Montana primaries

New Mexico primaries

Pennsylvania primaries

Rhode Island primaries

South Dakota primaries

 

June 9:

Georgia primaries

West Virginia primaries

 

June 23:

Kentucky primaries

 

July 7:

New Jersey primaries

 

July 11:

Louisiana

 

July 14:

Alabama Republican Senate primary runoff

 

August 11:

Connecticut primary

 

August 17-20:

Democratic National Convention

 

August 24-27:

Republican National Convention

 

One hopeful thing 

Nike is donating tens of thousands of shoes specifically designed for health care workers amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

Nike describes the “Air Zoom Pulse” as the “first shoe designed for the healthcare athlete, an everyday hero.”

The shoes are meant to be worn for 12 hour shifts and provide additional comfort for walking up to 5 miles, according to the Good News Network.

On top of that, Nike is sending more than 100,000 clothing pieces to frontline workers. The company, along with its foundation say it has pledged more than $25 million to the coronavirus pandemic relief effort. 

Just another great way we see individuals and companies showing their appreciation for our frontline workers. 

We’ll see you tomorrow for the latest campaign news and updates!