Floridians are told the last thing they want to do is “monkey this up” by electing the first ever black governor
Floridians are told the last thing they want to do is “monkey this up” by electing the first ever black governor. Florida made history in nominating the first ever Democratic black governor, with Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, upsetting former Representative, Gwen Graham to capture the Florida Democratic gubernatorial nomination.
Given today’s racially charged political climate, Florida definitely sets the stage for one of the races to watch by all, including Democratic, Republican voters, Neutrals and Independents alike. According to reports by the Washington Post and CNN, Rep. Ron DeSantis spurred controversy and cries of racism Wednesday, when he declared voters would “monkey this up” if they elected his African-American opponent, Andrew Gillum, to be governor. The republican candidate’s allegations came less than 24 hours after his victory in the Florida Republican gubernatorial primary.
Florida Republican Nominatee Ron DeSantis (left) and Democratic Nominatee Andrew Gillum (right).
The Sunshine State of Florida in the United States took a huge step to electing its first black governor, with Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, upsetting former Representative, Gwen Graham to capture the Florida Democratic gubernatorial nomination, Tuesday night.
The shock result came ahead of November’s eagerly anticipated mid-term elections, already being billed as a bitter fight for power between an invigorated Democratic Party and the Donald Trump, led Republican Party. At 39, Gillum’s victory seems to represent a younger generation of leaders, while riding to victory as Florida Democratic Party’s nominee. The former Florida A&M University Graduate and Gainesville, Florida resident won what is considered by many as a surprise victory over a competitive field of over five candidates, including former U.S. representative Gwendolyn Graham (age 55), who served as U.S. Representative for Florida’s 2nd district from 2015-2017.
Gillum will be expected to face Republican, Ron DeSantis in the general election of 2020. DeSantis, also 39 years of age assumed office in 2013. He is a native of Jacksonville, FLA. Gillum, turning to the camera, in one of his only campaign ads, asked prior to Tuesday’s vote, “What’s impossible? The son of a bus driver becoming Mayor of the capital city? Is it impossible to come from nothing, be outspent 10-to-1 and win?” Meanwhile, Gillum’s selection seems, for some, the clear choice of liberals in Tuesday’s race, given he had garnered support from certain liberal leading figures in the Democratic party, including Wealthy California businessman Tom Steyer, who reportedly sponsored ads nationally calling for President Donald Trump to be impeached. He was also supported by George Soros and Vermont, Democratic socialist, Senator Bernie Sanders. Gillum’s successful campaign ran on issues advocating for single-payer health insurance and calling for Trump’s impeachment.