Bold nominees, bold visions, but only one right for Florida

Since the Aug. 28 primary, much of Florida's political world has reacted strongly to the fact that the two nominees for governor – Democrat Andrew Gillum and Republican Ron DeSantis – represent the ideological wings of their respective parties. While true, political observers are rushing to judgment in concluding that their wins are a sign that these candidates are equally extreme for Florida. Both are outsiders, but their views are not equally out of the mainstream.

Between the two candidates, one is advocating for expanded access to healthcare, sensible firearm safety laws following a series of devastating shootings, increasing teacher pay, and better environmental protections in the aftermath of devastating algae blooms. These positions are broadly popular with the Florida electorate. The other used his campaign primarily as a platform to flatter Donald Trump and began the general election with a racial dog-whistle to disparage his African-American opponent. While unengaged voters might view both candidates as outsiders pulling at opposite ends of a political rubber band that's ready to snap, only one has laid out a platform that will positively impact the lives of Florida families.

It's not even close.

Florida has been, and will continue to be, a swing state. Party primaries this year favored candidates who stood apart from the establishment – who perhaps spoke more to an electorate searching for new faces and new blood, not to the Florida of a decade ago or even a cycle ago. Voters are clearly tired of waiting for incremental change and leaders who offer familiar solutions but no real progress. Perhaps it is indeed time for a leader advocating for quick, bold, dramatic change.

This is particularly true of Florida's recent statewide Democratic nominees. It is worth noting the contrast between Gillum and the center-left candidates of years past – Charlie Crist, Alex Sink, Jim Davis, Bill McBride, myself – who came up short in general elections and perhaps couldn't excite the base like Gillum has. So while I have long been the first one to talk about reaching across the aisle to find consensus and move the ball forward, from a purely political standpoint, maybe it's time we lean in and be bold.

Gillum is a candidate we can be excited about.

But all change is not equal, and as we have seen with the tumultuous presidency of Donald Trump, not all change is for the better. The middle class is getting squeezed, and voters across the country – and world – are responding in kind. From Brexit in the United Kingdom to presidential elections in Mexico, the Philippines, and Colombia, voters are signaling a dramatic shift from the norms and expectations of the past.

The enthusiasm heading into November is with Democrats. Florida voters are ready to push back on an administration they see as some combination of inept, incompetent, and corrupt. Between two gubernatorial candidates who political watchers gave little chance to win at the outset of the race and who speak to very different political wings, all of us will be faced with a stark choice.

I'm throwing my chips in with Gillum – the candidate with the passion, as well as the policies, that will serve Florida well.