FL-Gov: Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine has long been considering a bid for governor next year, but he’s been coy about his intentions for just as long. The self-described “radical centrist,” who won office identifying as a Democrat, had nevertheless toyed earlier this year with the idea of running as an independent or even a Republican, going so far as to say, “I actually like the Republican Party, and I like a lot of Republican ideas.” However, the window for 2018 candidates to change their party affiliation has now closed, meaning Levine will either have to run for governor as a Democrat or not at all won’t be able to run as a Republican, but could still do so as an independent.
We still don’t know for sure whether he’ll go for it, but Levine is certainly fundraising like he’s running for higher office. Reportedly worth $100 million, the mayor raised $225,000 from donors in July and gave his own campaign another $275,000, bringing his total self-funding to $2.6 million this cycle. That pace already puts Levine at the front of the pack financially, ahead of every top-tier Democrat who’s announced already, a group that includes former Rep. Gwen Graham, Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, and real estate company owner Chris King.
But Levine’s prospect of winning the nomination, or at least damaging the ultimate nominee, should raise alarms for Team Blue. Levine not only has a reputation for acting like Donald Trump, he even seems to like the man occupying the White House—an astounding thing for a candidate who’s hoping to run in a Democratic primary.
On the behavioral front, Levine is known for lashing out at opponents on social media, and his grasp on international norms is week: At at a forum on Cuba earlier this year, he wondered aloud, “Why aren’t we discussing the invasion of the island?” (A spokesman later swore he was joking.) So it fits that Levine recently went on Fox News with the thuggish Brian Kilmeade to declare, “So far, I think the president’s done a very good job.” How many Democrats in the state of Florida could possibly agree?
While Levine seems to think his supposed authenticity will be a plus with voters, he’s painting himself into a corner with his openness to Trump and Republican policies. Unfortunately, with the Democratic field still raising money somewhat slowly, Levine’s ability to pump huge sums into the race makes him a real threat to secure the nomination. More dangerously, running an independent campaign could deal serious damage to Democrats, since Levine’s extensive history of involvement with the party likely means he would take more votes from the left than the right despite his newfound admiration of Trump.