Daytona Beach, FL - 11 days before the general election, Democrat Gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum makes one last stop in Volusia County at the home of the Wildcats.
Officials at Bethune-Cookman University announced on Wednesday (October 24th) that two stops were scheduled for the Democrat candidate's "Bring It Home" bus tour, the first stop being the campus of BCU and the second being The Center at Deltona.
The lines and crowds immediately wrapped around the performing arts center on campus as students and supports of Gillum arrived early before the event.
But excited students and supporters weren't the only people in attendance at Gillum's event. The democratic candidate also brought out some local figures in politics, including Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry.
Henry took the stage prior to Gillum, exciting the crowd and engaging them in the battlecry "Turn Florida Blue."
One of Mayor Henry's biggest points, which would become a major theme throughout the night, was that students and residents of the area should engage in early voting.
Then, it wouldn't be long until Andrew Gillum himself was met with thunderous applause in the BCU performing arts center.
One of the first points Gillum made would echo Mayor Henry's, saying one of the largest populations in the United States is also one of those that has some of the lowest voting numbers, that population being college students.
"I believe you'll vote in numbers that this country has never seen before." Gillum said engaging the crowd, pushing early voting and voter turnout. "It's our job to vote."
Another plan of Gillum's was to make Florida "Blue," pushing a movement to make Florida a primarily Democrat state.
He also took the time to comment on BCU and colleges around the state of Florida. He told students that he promises a future for BCU and other Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) as they would have a "friend" in the capital. This comment comes almost two weeks
after students protested BCU's administration after the school was said to have been "on the verge of extinction" due to possible probation and financial issues.
Gun control was also on the gubernatorial candidate's mind, bringing up some of the major events that have occurred in the state including the Pulse Nightclub shooting and the Valentine's Day shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
"No parent should have to worry about sending their kids to school," Gillum said. "And they shouldn't worry if they're going to pick them up alive or pick them up in a body bag."
He also called for the banning of assault rifles, saying that "guns that can fire 60 rounds in 60 seconds should not be allowed in regular use."
Gillum also took the time to comment on President Trump and his opponent, Republican candidate Ron DeSantis, who Gillum referred to as "Trump's Mini-me."
He argued that he would be the governor and politician that believes in science, saying that when President Donald Trump backed out of the Paris Climate Accord, he helped with the installation of a solar farm and would continue to promote science and a green environment.
And once again before he would leave the auditorium with thunderous applause, he stressed that the most important thing any of his supporters or students can do in order to help themselves and his state.
He was also scheduled to be present at The Center at Deltona on behalf of the Volusia County Democratic Hispanic Caucus.
Early voting for Volusia County begins tomorrow and runs from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. until November 4th, just two days before the election.
Click here for more information on early voting in Volusia County.
