With the November election approaching, Florida's Democratic candidates for governor and U.S. Senate discussed affordability, education, healthcare and the opportunity to change the state's political direction.

National broadcaster Don Lemon brought his live show to Miami Gardens on Thursday, October 8, for a conversation with Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Jolly and U.S. Senate candidate Angie Nixon about Florida's political future.

The evening brought together two candidates with different political backgrounds and styles, but a shared belief that Florida needs new leadership focused on working families, economic opportunity and protecting fundamental rights.

Lemon opened the discussion with a question that has long defined Florida politics: Can Florida turn blue?

Miami voters will decide this November whether to authorize $450 million in general obligation bonds to modernize the city’s aging police, fire-rescue and emergency-response infrastructure. We support Referendum 1 and recommend approving the bonds.

At a moment when our county faces a housing affordability crisis, unchecked development, and a growing trust deficit at County Hall, Rob Piper offers a genuine commitment to transparency, accountability, and the everyday people who call this district home.

Piper has been endorsed by the Miami-Dade Democratic Party, and the Miami Herald.

Miami-Dade Democrats have endorsed Rey Sordo for Florida House District 119, challenging Republican incumbent Juan Carlos Porras in a district that includes much of West Kendall and South Miami-Dade.

Miami-Dade Democrats have endorsed A.C. Castillo for Florida House District 118 in his race against Republican incumbent Mike Redondo.

Miami-Dade Democrats have endorsed Dr. Jose Stoute for Florida Senate District 40, challenging Republican incumbent Ana Maria Rodriguez in a district that includes South Miami-Dade and the Florida Keys.

Miami-Dade Democrats have endorsed Lucia Báez-Geller for Florida House District 106, challenging Republican incumbent Fabián Basabe in the coastal district that stretches from Miami Beach north through Surfside, Bal Harbour, Sunny Isles Beach and Aventura.

Florida voters will decide this November whether to approve Amendment 3, a sweeping change to the way local property taxes work.

Miami-Dade Democrats have endorsed Eliott Rodriguez for Florida’s 27th Congressional District in his race against Republican incumbent María Elvira Salazar. After a distinguished career reporting the news in South Florida, he is running for Congress with a platform centered on lowering the cost of living, protecting Social Security and Medicare, pursuing comprehensive immigration reform and bringing greater independence and accountability to Washington. His campaign has made South Florida’s affordability crisis a central issue.

Rodriguez has also earned the endorsement of the Miami Herald Editorial Board.