Democratic candidate for governor Chris King was in Tampa Tuesday morning, vying for the votes of the local Muslim community.
King was the only candidate to address more than 5,000 Muslims celebrating the Eid al-Adha holiday at the Florida State Fairgrounds. The Tampa stop was part of his "Fearless For Florida" bus tour that the candidate said he will continue through to the Aug. 28 primary.
In a press conference following the event, King also joined other Democratic and religious groups in calling for Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg to step down. Greenberg recently made a Facebook post that implied Muslims do not benefit society.
"Mr. Greenberg's comments are vile and they’re mean," he said. "People have called his resignation, I think that's just where it starts. He certainly should resign and is not fit for public office, but we should have conversation in our state that we just don't tolerate that kind of unkindness."
King said he wanted to use his platform as a gubernatorial candidate to stand by the Muslim community in Florida. He told the crowd in Tampa that Muslims would be represented in his administration if he's elected governor.
"What I have suggested is that you will have access, you will have a voice," Kind said. "You will have leaders that look like you, identify with you, and share your faith inside my government that are giving me counsel."
King also promised to be a governor who speaks out against what he sees as Islamophobia.
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