Black Democrat wins Florida primary for governor

Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum upset a crowded field of wellfunded candidates in Florida’s Democratic gubernatorial primary Tuesday, putting him a step away from becoming the state’s first black governor.

His surprise victory sets up a November showdown with Republican U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, a favorite of President Donald Trump’s, in the race to replace termlimited Republican Gov. Rick Scott.

Gillum’s victory could further energize black voters in a year when Democrats are counting on high turnout among minorities to buoy the party in the November elections. Gillum is the party’s third black gubernatorial nominee this year, joining Stacey Abrams in Georgia and Ben Jealous in Maryland.

Gillum is a favorite among those who call themselves progressive Democrats. U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont endorsed him.

Gillum defeated betterknown and better-funded candidates, including former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham, who aimed to win the office her father once held and become the state’s first female governor.

Gillum spent only $6.5 million on a primary in which billionaire Jeff Greene spent $38 million and millionaire and former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine spent about $29 million of his fortune.

DeSantis rode Trump’s endorsement to victory in the GOP race, underscoring the president’s broad appeal in Republican primaries. Trump cheered DeSantis’ victory on Twitter on Tuesday night, writing: “Ron will be a fantastic Governor. On to November!”

DeSantis defeated Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, who has held elected office nearly his entire adult life. DeSantis entered the race in January and largely built his name recognition with near-nightly Fox News appearances.

The winner is a former Navy lawyer who won his U.S. House seat in 2012 running as a Washington outsider. He ran for the U.S. Senate in 2016 but dropped out of the race when Republican Sen. Marco Rubio decided to run for re-election after a failed presidential campaign.