she's in lakeland, florida, the energy i'm guessing you're seeing is only increasing. >> reporter: yeah, certainly, when we were at a voting place this morning in polk county, there were many people going in and out. there was a few minute wait for folks to get to the ballot box. on a saturday morning, i think the people hoping for higher turnout, this is what you want

ed: griff jenkins in lakeland, florida. brian: todd piro is not in lakeland, florida.en decided. ainsley: hey, steve. steve: what a 24 hours i had. 24 hours i was there with you, we were outside in fox square. i flew to springfield, missouri. i spent the night at a bar. as results came in. and here i am in the restaurant. steve, remember me, i went to high school with you. my wife just saw you on tv. where have you been past 40 years? >> we celebrated our 40th high school reunion. steve: scott anderson and his wife here at the farmhouse. brian, ainsley, ed. so many people are so energized because they fought so hard to get josh hawley elected to the u.s. senate and last night was, they got a lot of christmas tree shots in branson. christmas came earlier to the republicans. while poles showed, she, claire mccaskill was up by three in the latest from "nbc/wall street journal poll," he, ran away with it. he won by a big margin of six points despite the fact over $1 million -- $150 million spent in the show-me state. it was show me the money state. ainsley: kavanaugh effec

she's in lakeland, florida, the energy i'm guessing you're seeing is only increasing. >> reporter: yeahertainly, when we were at a voting place this morning in polk county, there were many people going in and out. there was a few minute wait for folks to get to the ballot box. on a saturday morning, i think the people hoping for higher turnout, this is what you want to see. in this election, it's really interesting, andrew gillum, a progressive democrat, ron desantis, a trump accilite. democrats trying to turn out voters who don't feel energized to come out in off year elections. republicans trying the same base trump won by one point. donald trump wasn't really anywhere in their answers. >> ron desantis, and rick scott. >> reporter: why? >> i'm a long time republican, and i think they do a good job, and i have faith in them, and not so much in the other folks. >> reporter: it sounds to me like you might have voted for andrew gillum. >> i did, i absolutely did. >> reporter: what is it you like about him? >> i like that he has an open vision to help everybody, not just a select few who m

team coverage on today's biggest races setting with griff jenkins live in lakeland, florida where allon two races in particular. good morning. exciting day. >> it is. something is definitely going on because 5 million floridians cast their votes with polls opening in a few hours. in lakeland, florida, the most swing votes exist in florida and all eyes on two of the most closely watched races, ron desantis making his final arguments. here's a little bit of what he had to say. >> voters tend to prefer to vote on election day. we have our habitual voters we will mobilize, we will decisively when election day and that will put us in a position to win the race. >> a little bit behind in the polls chasing tallahassee mayor andrew gillam who has taken the state by storm. in tallahassee, turning out for a rally, here is what the mayor said. >> we can't get it unless we are willing to do the work, so we showing up and saying you matter, your life matters, your future matters and if it is true that means you have to vote. is that right? >> of the races, one of the most expensive senate races in

griff jenkins is live in lakeland florida will voters will soon pick their next governor and senatore race. good morning. >> hey, good morning, yeah we're at the brunch box in lakeland florida along that i-4 quarter with most number of swing voters are in florida and already a record number of voters more than five million floridians have already voted early. we're going to get pulse of what they think. but these two races just couldn't be closer. first, starting with that govan race, mayor of dallas see andrew gillum first african-american governor of the state on the democratic ticket. was at a rally up in northern part of the state with in stance closing his closing art here's what mayor gillum said. listen. >> fine and straightens soldiers to the task of what it means to build a kind of state where all of fuss are seeing. all of us are heard and all of us are respected so if you believe we dweive that kind of state, i need you to vote. >> but congressman ron desantis gop ticket not wanting to give up. he is trailing just a little bit. but he was talking also yesterday he was in t

griff jenkins is in lakeland, florida.ers at the only south pancake house. brian: he does not like that nickname. pete: no, i'm okay with it. i embrace it. you guys give me that name with love and i appreciate it we are at the old south pancake house in fort worth, texas. we are talking to folks and voters. because their voice matters more than anything else especially on election day. jacob, you haven't been to bed because you are a bartender. you were up all night and saw that we were at the diner. the cruz/o'rourke race has gotten a lot of attention. break it down as a texas voter for us. >> i think that cruz is, you know, i think he has done a really great job so far. i think those trying to get some voters with some, you know, not really great means by playing up his heritage in different ways. i think he -- i don't think he is going to win. i think texas is going to stay red. pete: you think it will stay red. >> i think it will stay red. pete: what's the issue that's an mating you and voter around the state. >> immig

. >>> this >>> this burglar had an especially tough time breaking in to a car dealership in lakeland, florida. not only took him forever to get through a hole in the wall, but he nearly lost his shorts on the way in. once inside he rummaged around to find something of major value, but in the end it appears he only got away with a power generator. >> oh, florida man. >> florida man. >>> well, researchers are signing up hundreds of couples to participate in testing a new form of male birth control. >> okay. so it's a gel. it's applied by the man that is absorbed into the back and shoulders. the gel is meant to reduce sperm production to low or nonexistent levels. >> for the study, a man will apply the gel daily for up to 12 weeks to determine if it causes any unacceptable side effects. if sperm levels do drop to a certain level, the man will enter a year-long trial. >> i do love the stock video that we have. participants are being recruited in los angeles and seattle. you can see our website, wnnfans, for more information. >> so, like, this research -- so maybe you have a kid because it

the bestlakeland for in lakeland, florida, a republican. caller: good morning. praise be for c-span that allows common citizens to have a voice on television. i'm a republican that is against trump. put about if the democrats on joe biden to be speaker of the house? wouldn't that be more effective? it is my understanding that it does not have to be a member. joe biden could leave the -- lead the house of representatives and there could be a coalition with republicans. in my local paper, i have a letter to the editor called a plan to remove trump and move on. i proposed that mitt romney can be the leader of the republicans in the senate. to condense donald trump and put in joe biden to be speaker of the house, which would be very effective, i think. what are the responses of our guests? host: thank you for bringing it up. guest: as your viewers know, it is not necessary that the speaker of the house be a member of the house. that said, it almost certainly will be. i am bordering around a hundred percent that it will be. nore is no discussion, support for having s

. >> we are outside in lakeland, florida, trying to talk to these voters before they go to the polls. find out what is driving a historic day in florida. rob: florida is a big state today. jillian: in texas, could appreciate the state. ted cruz fighting to keep his seat in the historically red state against hollywood back democrat beto o rourke. a contentious house race in texas. >> reporter: a couple big races, we are at the old south pancake house in fort worth, we will talk to voters all morning long. if you are in the dallas-fort worth area come on out and share your opinion with us, two big races, the senate race as mentioned, beto o'rourke against ted cruz, the composition of the texas electorate. what you guys are covering we will be covering, the house of representatives hangs in the balance and there's a race we are watching closely, if it flips would foretell a bad light for republicans. 30-2nd commercial district held by 11 term incumbent pete sessions fighting a challenge for democrat colin allred, the race is a tossup within the margin of error. the district was won by mi

thank you so much from lakeland, florida. mariana, a good day to you. i floe you've been monitoring the latino vote. what can you tell us? >> when you look at the latino vote, one of the key constituencies is the this is a heart of the he -- a very competitive raid they are getting their coffees, and geld ready for a caravan that will be taking people to the -- >> i'm here with nicole, and while i sip this coffee, how many puerto ricans has your organization registered. what are the main halling culturally to get this commune to turn out. up until now, no one cause speaking to so the faces they are seeing at the doors were not the face that we would relate to. the language was not the language, and the other challenge is, of course, explaining the system. it's completely different to what puerto ricketo is used to. so that is something that has been a big challenge, but a good one in a way that we have been able to convey the conversations with them in a way to say this makes an impact, your vote can change of balance of a country. >> reporter: thank yo

you're in lakeland, florida. what are they telling there in florida? >> richard, we're actually here where ron desantis just left. he's en route to pensacola. we asked him what about the president's trip here? take a look. congressman, how important is it that trump is coming here tonight? >> hopefully he brings out tens of thousands of new voters. that's what we're looking for. >> reporter: that new voters is an important thing because of course republicans are trying to turn out their base and democrats are trying to do the same. democrats that i've spoken to here have said this is the weekend they're ho ping to catc up in early voting. republicans hoping the president continuing to visit brings out more of their voters. ron desantis has aligned himself closely with trump and they're hoping that parallel will get them there. as much as many of these senate and governor races focus on national issues and trump is involved in all of them, this is a race that has really hinged on the local stuff. back to the primary here in august, many of the votes are

the latest from lakeland, florida. we saw a bit of president obama speaking in atlanta. he was in miami before delivering those remarks in georgia. talk about where things stand with the governor's race in florida. >> reporter: well, with the governor's race you're seeing andrew gillum going back to tallahassee in light of the shooting that happened last night. this is not the first time events interfered with the campaign schedule. remember, michael earlier last month put both governor rick scott and andrew gillum off the campaign trail, doing his day job, so to speak, and andrew gillum repeatedly points that he can work across party line. it's important when you consider the fact his opponent repeatedly says when gillum lashes out against trump it shows he can't work with republicans. something the governor of florida is going to have to do, when you consider recovery efforts and all the other things that florida needs the federal government for, but gillum says that shows he can work with rick scott when it means florida voters need something. the fact the shooting co

griff: hey, good morning, maria, we are in lakeland, florida at the brunch box, it is the best breakfast get in this i4 corridor and we have the most number of swing voters here where the governor's race, senate race, closely watched in the country, we are talking to folks, al, retired officer with the sheriff's department in miami-dade, have you voted already? >> yes, we have. griff: what drove your vote, what's the issues that matter most to you? >> change. we like a little bit of change; see if we can make something a little bit better, something is not working now, we tried to get it to where it's going to work a little bit better. griff: do you want to tell us, you have the governor's race, senate race, closely watched in the country, how did you vote if you want to share with us in. >> well, i voted republican and -- and i voted for -- i usually vote for who i think is going to do the better job. griff: janice, i will bring you in here, what drove your vote, what mothered most to vote? >> like he said, change, if i don't vote, keep mouth shut on who i voted for, so go out and vote

. >> sean in lakeland florida. hi, sean. >> caller: how are you all doing this morning?>> good morning. >> caller: i'm an independent in florida. i've always lived florida. i've always seen red tide. it got worse when scott was governor. how political people can affect red tide? they can do things like cut regulations on the big producers of fertilizer or the sugar companies down there and with the deregulation they just do what they want to do and then when the environment gets messed up, you have a boom of red tide that's larger than it normally would be. that's the issue. my other issue as an independent is florida's a closed primary state so i don't get to choose who gets to vote. i just get to decide how everybody puts who they think is up there, and i think that's kind of messed up along with these amendments. what if i was against offshore oil drilling but i wanted to be able to vape in public? that's so dumb to me. why would you put those together? this is the kind of foolery that goes on in florida. >> susan? >> let's talk first of all about his concern that he

. >> family trip from lakeland, florida. >> hi mason >> celebrating his 13thhd bi. ♪ >> happy holidaysack to "today." i'm peter alexander with sheinelle jones. savannah and hoda enjoying a deserved d off. i wish we could get a little better weather today. >> i know. they don't mind. we will say hi to them in a bit. > right to your news at 8:00. there is a lot of news going on, beginning with black friday shoppers. they have been up early, inome cases all night, hunting for holiday bargains and crossing names off their gift lists. nbc's jo ling kent is in the thick of it in calilernia's glen galleria. good morning to you. >> reporter: good morning. happy black friday. this a mall iseady buzzing. santa claus is here. fe ydiscounts are in full swin. we are seeing bladay spending on track to be the most ever for this year.ng we are talki about $23 billion according to mastercard will be spent today alone.ha and comes from a lot of consumer confidence nearing a two-decade high right now, and some of the products that are best that are bringing people out to come shopping or logging online t

. >> family trip from lakeland, florida. new york to shop until we drop. >> kicking off black friday. >> on the plaza. >> welcome back to today. i'm peter alexander longside shinele jones. and look at all those folks braving the cold coming from across the country. and i wish we could give a little bit of weather today. >> they don't mind. well go out and say hi in a bit. >> right to the news at 8:00 because there is a lot of news going on beginning with black friday shopper. they've been up in some cases all night high pressure crossing names off the gift list. gentlemen lean kent is in the thick of it in green dale, california. >> happy black friday. this mall is buzzing. santa clause is here the discounts are in full swing and we see black friday on spending on track to be the most ever for this year. we are talking about $23 billion, according to master card will be spent today alone. and that comes from a lot of consumer confidence nearing a two-decade high right now. and some of the products doing the best to bring peo

manufacturer, distributor, pharmacy, you see millions of pills coming into a distribution center in lakeland they are doing now and we want this to be a collaborative effort to solve the problem together and that includes having prevention, having treatment, education, that is how they were all part of the problem and they have to be part of the solution. ainsley: almost 3000 people overdosed on opioids in florida, nationally 45 people died on overdoses every single day. let me read you the statement from cvs, we believe the state of florida's addition of cvs pharmacy, cvs taken numerous actions to strengthen the listing safeguards to address the nation's opioid epidemic. in the past 5 years there have been a 38% decrease in opioid dispensing at retail pharmacy. we asked walgreens for a statement saying they don't comment on pending lawsuits would your critics say you are suing them because their big companies and they have the money to help you combat this in the state of florida. what is your reaction to their statement? >> this is what is happening today and i applaud them for what they a

sean is in lakeland, florida. caller: i am an independent in florida.have always lived in florida. i have always seen red tide. it got worse when scott was governor. tide,ey can affect red they can do things like cut regulations on the big producers of fertilizer or the sugar companies. with the deregulation, they just do what they want to do. tideyou have a boom of red that is larger than it normally would be. my other issue as an independent is florida is a closed riemer he state. i don't get to choose. i just get to decide after everybody puts you they think is up there. i think that's messed up along with these amendments. what if i wanted, what if i was offshore oilnst drilling, but i want to debate in public? why would you put those together? let's talk about his concern that he can't vote in primaries. what you are most likely to see for the 2020 out is a citizen initiative that asks for the right to change open primaries. poll after poll shows strong support for that. both sides are looking at. they need these people, they need to be engaged. i

richard in lakeland, good morning. tell us what you think.aller: i will absolutely not talk politics. that is one of the dirtiest businesses. there is not a clean politician out there no matter what your view is, there is someone who will have a different opinion. i want to avoid the arguments and have a family meal. host: do the discussions about politics generally lead to argument? caller: not really argument, but there is some heated discussion about a po -- opposing views. host: when that happens do you remove yourself from the table or stay silent or eat? what kind of strategy do you -- come up with? caller: i enjoy my meal and let everyone else say what they want to say. host: richard in florida joining us to tell us about those political discussions, if they will take place this thanksgiving. colin on facebook says my family are all political, mostly independents. dead london says not if anyone .ants to eat and i am cooking jeff says it is hard not to talk about the similarities between 1973 and 2018. facebook.com is our facebook page

the bestlakeland for in lakeland, florida, a republican. caller: good morning.ise be for c-span that allows common citizens to have a voice on television. i'm a republican that is against trump. put about if the democrats on joe biden to be speaker of the house? wouldn't that be more effective? it is my understanding that it does not have to be a member. joe biden could leave the -- lead the house of representatives and there could be a coalition with republicans. in my local paper, i have a letter to the editor called a plan to remove trump and move on. i proposed that mitt romney can be the leader of the republicans in the senate. to condense donald trump and put in joe biden to be speaker of the house, which would be very effective, i think. what are the responses of our guests? host: thank you for bringing it up. guest: as your viewers know, it is not necessary that the speaker of the house be a member of the house. that said, it almost certainly will be. i am bordering around a hundred percent that it will be. nore is no discussion, support for having summa