FORT LAUDERDALE (August 20, 2018)—The NAACP Florida State Conference expressed disappointment in the decision by 3 of the 4 Florida gubernatorial candidates to bypass a recent candidates forum.

The NAACP’s Florida State Conference will ensure that voter mobilization efforts in the 61 NAACP branches throughout the state are aware of the actions by any candidates for local, state or national offices who devalue the Black vote or the members of the nation’s largest civil rights organization.

“The candidates who failed to make the time in their schedules to participate in the candidate forum may reveal more than they intended about their suitability for office. We all have busy schedules. We expect transparency of our government. And we expect those who would represent us for Governor, or any other office, to be willing and available to answer voters' questions, and not ducking and dodging,” said NAACP Florida State Conference President Adora Nweze.

During the Governor's Candidates Political Forum at Middleton High School in Tampa, Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum was the sole candidate to show up. The Hillsborough County branch of the NAACP organized the forum. The other candidates including Gwen Graham, Chris King and Philip Levine were no shows.