Florida's Democratic primary voters are getting a chance to evaluate their party's gubernatorial candidates in a series of debates.
On Monday night the candidates were on stage once again, this time at the Miramar Cultural Center in South Florida.
- Four of five Democrats in race took part
- Jeff Greene did not participate
- Primary election August 28
Andrew Gillum, mayor of Tallahassee; Gwen Graham, a former congresswoman; Chris King, a Winter Park businessman; and Philip Levine, former mayor of Miami Beach all took part.
Jeff Greene, who filed his paperwork to run in the race on June 1, did not participate.
Here in the Bay area, a "Florida Freedom Forum" watch party took place at the West Tampa library.
About 40 people attended.
"I think they know this is a very critical time in the state and they want their questions answered," said Cloe Cabrera of Organize Florida, who helped put together the event.
The candidates talked about a wide range of issues, including gun control, minimum wage, healthcare and immigration.
"Fight for 15 is very important, healthcare is very important, affordable housing is very important. There is an array of things that are important to us at this time," said attendee Isaline Boston.
"We're hoping that voters under 30 will step up to the plate and start voting at the same rate as older people, because if they did we would live in a different state," said attendee Mark Norris.
The Democratic candidates have additional debates scheduled on July 18 in Ft. Myers and August 2 in Miami.
The primary election is August 28.