controversy, if elected, gillum would be florida's first black governor. in georgia, african-american democrats, stacey abrams, is in a dead heat against republican, brian kemp. in a race marred by allegations of voter suppression. if elected, e brahms would be the first black governor of georgia and the first black woman ever to govern an american state. we'll get deeper into the numbers and our talk to rapper, common. common will be here later about why he is stumping for the democrats in those two races. joining me now, nbc news political contributor, heidi is the managing editor of the beat d.c., tiffany cross and republican strategist and author, noelle.