To call Florida is a key state for Democrats is an understatement. It’s a perennial battleground when it comes to presidential elections, and as the nation’s third largest state, with 27 seats in the House, it’s prime territory for Republicans to unleash some of their worst and most effective gerrymanders. It’s also on the front lines, quite literally, of the ever-increasing problem of climate change—a problem the GOP is alarmingly content to ignore.
But Florida’s future can be a progressive one, which is why Daily Kos is proud to endorse Andrew Gillum to become the state’s first Democratic governor in the 21st century.
When the votes were tallied in the Florida primary and the Tallahassee mayor’s name appeared on top, some people were surprised. But only the people who haven’t met him.
What propelled a 38-year-old mayor whose entire political career was focused on one town in the Florida panhandle to victory in defiance of almost every prediction? The list is long, but it includes: an incredible ability to explain the importance of government’s role in communities, a confidence that the right policies can improve the lives of ordinary people, and a willingness to take on powerful, entrenched interests that dominate his state. Those qualities are just some of what have made Gillum a force to be reckoned with as mayor of Tallahassee, and they’ll serve him even better when he becomes Florida’s next governor.
Additionally,
- Gillum has stood up against the NRA, facing hundreds of thousands in potential fines, as Republicans in the state government worked to pre-empt local gun-safety regulations.
- In a state where those attempting to return to normal lives after serving prison sentences face some of the harshest restrictions in the nation, Gillum championed “ban the box” rules that opened employment opportunities and restored hope.
- With the state deliberately pressing down on working families, Gillum launched a series of programs to promote family-friendly workplaces, quality child care, provide mentors for teens, and improve educational opportunities for both children and their parents.
With our help, Gillum can take his impressive track record statewide and expand on his successes in the mayor’s office.
Join us in supporting Andrew Gillum for governor! Will you give $3 to kick Trump’s Republican Party out of Florida in November?
But Republicans are bent on stopping him. They know that he’s part of an energetic new wave of proudly progressive Democratic leaders who don’t shy away from a fight. And they know how effective Gillum is on the campaign trail—as he demonstrated to the wider world when he defied predictions to win the Democratic nomination.
If Andrew Gillum represents the new generation of Democratic leaders, his opponent aptly demonstrates how far the Republican Party has already fallen. Rep. Ron DeSantis has been one of Donald Trump’s biggest supporters in Congress, working with Devin Nunes and others to shield Trump from investigation and back his most extreme actions. Following the tenure of Medicare-fraudster and NRA fanboy Rick Scott, it may seem impossible that Florida could have a worse Republican governor, but DeSantis certainly wants to give it a try.
DeSantis has pledged to oppose any law that would fight global warming. His support for Trump has gone so far as authoring a bill to end the special counsel investigation and to protect Trump from any look into money-laundering or tax evasion before the campaign. And DeSantis launched his general election campaign with a blatantly racist slur against his black opponent.
Despite all this, polls show that Republicans are sticking with their “monkey it up” nominee. As it in many states, the race for governor in Florida is going to be a turnout battle, as well as a fight for the few truly independent voters. That’s a fight that has to be fought one door at a time, and it takes boots on the ground and dollars in the tank.
And this is a fight worth winning—one will have a resounding impact in Florida and beyond. Andrew Gillum offers a huge shift for Florida, a chance to not just arrest but reverse two decades of Republican control that have seen the figurative and literal erosion of the state.
Let’s send Florida on a path toward a progressive future—contribute $3 to elect Andrew Gillum in November!