KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Puerto Rico’s governor has endorsed gubernatorial candidate and Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum.

  • Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosello backs Andrew Gillum
  • Gillum in gubernatorial race with GOP U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis
  • Decision 2018

Gov. Ricardo Rosello backed Gillum over GOP U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis in Florida’s gubernatorial race, saying he was impressed by Gillum’s charisma when a mutual friend introduced them before the August primary.

Rossello’s endorsements could sway some of the tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans who have moved to Florida in the year since Hurricane Maria devastated the island.

Both Democrats and Republicans in Florida have courted the votes of Puerto Ricans. Rosello also backed Sen. Bill Nelson in his bid for Senate re-election against Rick Scott.

Ahead of Rossello’s endorsement of Gillum, DeSantis’ campaign released a statement of support from Jennifer Gonzalez-Colon, Puerto Rico’s resident commissioner to the U.S. Congress, who said, that Gillum "has done nothing for the island of Puerto Rico."

DeSantis was championed in the Florida GOP gubernatorial primary by President Trump, who last month was criticized by some Puerto Ricans for saying the death toll from Hurricane Maria was inflated and that the number rose to 3,000 "like magic."

At a rally in Kissimmee with Rossello, Gillum, using a Spanish term for Puerto Ricans, told the crowd of about 75 supporters, "I'm here to ask to be the candidate for governor who is the candidate choice of the Boriquas, right here in the state of Florida."