One of the most recognizable mayors in the state is on a bus tour across Florida, but his camp insists this is not the launch of a campaign for governor.
Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine is hitting the road as part of the "Day in the Sun" audio documentary he is compiling for SiriusXM. Levine already hosts "The Mayor" for the satellite radio company which features him interviewing guests from fellow city leaders to former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.
“During this 5-part audio documentary, Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine will take to the road for a week long bus tour of the different regions of Florida," reads a press release from SiriusXM. "Along the way he’ll speak with Floridians of diverse backgrounds and interests – from alligator wranglers to farmers to NASA engineers – exploring the rich tapestry of everyday people who help make the state unique.”
After leaving South Florida, Levine will make three stops around the Tampa Bay area Tuesday and then continue around the Sunshine State this week, visiting various spots and courting potential voters near Orlando, Daytona Beach, St. Augustine and the Panhandle.
In addition to his work with SiriusXM, Levine has been bolstering his profile to become a familiar name with more people across the state, maybe even across the country. After appearing as a fixture at many Clinton campaign events in Florida and elsewhere leading up to the 2016 election, Levine has also become a popular guest on cable news channels and he just came off hosting the Conference of Mayors.
While his political committee has more than $4 million stashed away, the Miami Beach Mayor says he plans to wait until the fall to decide whether he will run to succeed Rick Scott. Levine's camp has also hinted that he may run as an independent rather than get involved with the Democratic Party primary, which already features Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum and former Congresswoman Gwen Graham.
(Photo by Aaron Davidson/Getty Images For SOBEWFF)