The National Nurses Organizing Committee, an affiliate of National Nurses United, the nation’s largest union and professional association of registered nurses, announced today its endorsement of Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum as the next governor of Florida. The nurses cited his work in helping to provide high quality health care to all Floridians in announcing the endorsement.

“Registered nurses are proud to endorse Andrew Gillum for governor. With escalating attacks on existing health care programs, and Florida being one of 19 states that rejected expanding Medicaid, electing a governor who will be a strong advocate for a permanent solution to our broken health care system through an improved and expanded Medicare for All system is desperately needed for our patients,” said Mariel Caraballo, RN of St. Cloud, Florida.

“I’m proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the National Nurses Organizing Committee,” said Gillum. “As a kid, I remember waiting in line for the free health care clinic because any other care was out of reach for our family. Today, that reality exists for too many Floridians, which is why we need bold, progressive solutions to our health care crisis.”

As Mayor of Tallahassee, Gillum fought the powerful NRA and gun lobby in court. Twice he won cases to protect a law that bans firing a weapon in a city park, where kids play and families picnic. Gillum also launched a Family Friendly Workplaces program, with over 100 businesses from the private, public, and non-profit sectors. The program prioritizes issues such as paid sick days, work-sharing, health insurance, mental health programs, safe and clean breastfeeding rooms, on-site childcare centers and subsidies for childcare. This program helps attract talented employees and limit employee turnover.

“His dedication to making our schools safer, making Florida a leader in renewable energy, and eliminating the school to prison pipeline, proves he truly is the most experienced candidate. He has proven by the work he has done in Tallahassee that his heart is in the right place and he is capable of making Florida the best that it can be for patients and their safety, ” said Michelle Nungester, RN of Manatee County, Florida.

“As nurses, we urge Floridians to support Andrew Gillum for governor.  He is dedicated to healing our state, improving lives, and investing in our communities. It is time for a change,“ said Roseanne O’Malley, RN of Hernando County, Florida.

National Nurses United is the largest and fastest growing union of RNs in the nation with over 150,000 members. NNU has advocated for landmark health and safety protections for nurses and patients in the areas of staffing, safe patient handling, infectious disease and workplace violence protection.