ORLANDO, Fla. – Democratic consultants are trying to convince Orlando-based attorney and medical marijuana backer John Morgan to run in the 2018 Florida gubernatorial race, Politico reported Monday.
Ben Pollara, a longtime political consultant, told Politico that he filed paperwork with the state to create the "For the Governor Political Committee,” a play on Morgan's the “For the People” slogan.
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But the political consultants behind the effort still need to convince Morgan to run.
Pollara said Morgan isn't on board with a run for Florida governor just yet, but also didn't say no, according to Politico.
United for Care, the pro-medical marijuana group behind Florida Amendment 2, sent out an email petition on Monday asking Floridians to “tell John Morgan” to run for governor in 2018.
“We wouldn't have passed Amendment 2 without John Morgan's courage and leadership. Every single one of you knows that to be a fact," United for Care said in the email. “Now we need John's courage and leadership in Tallahassee, where both of those qualities are sorely lacking.”
Amendment 2 passed on Nov. 8 with more than 70 percent of the vote. The ballot measure allows medical marijuana prescriptions for 10 additional illnesses: cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma, AIDS, post-traumatic stress disorder, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Crohn's disease, Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis. It also allows doctors to prescribe pot for any other similar kind of ailment.
Morgan estimated he spent between $8 and 9 million of his own money to help push for the Amendment’s approval.
The effort led by Pollara and Democratic consultant Brian Franklin has $25,000 in commitments for the committee, Pollara told Politico.
Republican Gov. Rick Scott was elected to a second term, defeating former Gov. Charlie Crist, in 2014.