Sanders-backed Andrew Gillum wins major upset in Florida Dem gov primary

[mobeau69]

Last edited Tue Aug 28, 2018, 10:46 PM - Edit history (1)

Source: The Hill

Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, a progressive aligned with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), pulled off a stunning win in Florida's Democratic gubernatorial primary on Tuesday, edging out former Rep. Gwen Graham (D-Fla.).

Gillum won the primary with 34 percent of the vote, the Associated Press projected with 87 percent of precincts reporting. Graham, the daughter of former Sen. Bob Graham (D-Fla.), won 32 percent of the vote.

The come-from-behind win defied expectations and is bound to invite comparisons to the win by progressive star Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who stunned the political world in June by defeating established Rep. Joe Crowley in a New York Democratic primary.

Gillum will face off against Rep. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) in the gubernatorial election in November, pitting a progressive against a hardline conservative backed by President Trump.

Read more: http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/404097-andrew-gillum-wins-florida-democratic-gubernatorial-race-in-stunning-upset

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[The Blue Flower]

1. Remember: "Everything trump touches dies."

Go Gillum!!!!

[Honeycombe8]

53. His endorsed candidate won the Repub primary in FL tonight.

Trump is popular among Repubs, it seems.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. Did he run as a Democrat? I assume he did.

But more than that, his win will make for a very interesting gubernatorial contest in November.

[mobeau69]

3. Yes and yes.

[The Liberal Lion]

6. It will indeed be a very telling election

[mountain grammy]

7. Yes indeed.

Go Gillum. Take Florida back before the Republicans kill it forever. Now that's a swamp that needs draining.

[drray23]

8. Yes. Just read his bio.

He is a long term Democrat with a lot of political experience in Florida. He did not get parachuted in there out if nowhere by OR. I think he will make a fine governor of he can beat the trump stooge.

[still_one]

24. Yes. He ran as a Democrat. He IS a Democrat. I don't see any issue here as long as a DEMOCRAT

wins

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

4. YESSSSS!!!!!

[bearsfootball516]

5. I like a lot of the things Gillium stands for.

And it's obvious that he can drive minority turnout, as evidenced by how he did in Miami, Orlando, etc.

I hope that he's not so progressive that he alienates too many moderates in a purple state that would have voted for Graham in the general. But now, we just have to wait and see.

If he wins, it could set a blueprint for Democrats in the future that progressive candidates with clearly progressive ideas can win in tossup elections. If he loses...well, we'll see what happens.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

11. How about standing up for what you believe and convincing voters to follow your vision...

now there's a concept!!! It's called leadership.

[zipplewrath]

13. You mean like Crist?

We've tried a series of "moderates" in Florida. They never win. Might as well try something different. I strongly suspect we can't win anyway, but we might as well try.

[bearsfootball516]

15. Agreed completely.

I liked Graham, but Gillum is more indicative of the future of the party. We have to start trying candidates like him in swing states. He brings a ton of energy, and it's very hard not to love him.

[George II]

33. Why take a gratuitous shot at Charlie Crist? He was already Governor of Florida and is now....

....their Congressman from the 13th District.

[Honeycombe8]

51. Crist did win Gov. of Fl. as a Repub. He lost Gov. race twice, once as an Independent.

He lost as a Dem to the alt-right Rick Scott.

I don't think FL will go for anyone far left. Even a large % of the Cuban Hispanics there are conservative.

[csziggy]

94. Gwen Graham has already endorsed Gillum for governor

So hopefully everyone who voted for Graham will vote for Gillum. Together they got more votes than De Santis did in the primaries.

For me it was a tossup between Graham and Gillum. I love Gillum's fire and enthusiam. I really like his platform. I voted for Graham because I am an old white woman who wanted to see the first woman governor in Florida history, plus I remember what a good governor and senator Bob Graham was.

I will be ecstatic to see the first black governor in Florida history, so I will support Gillum.

[JoeOtterbein]

9. Great news!

The democratic wing of the Dem party won!

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

14. It sure did!!

[sheshe2]

22. The man has good taste.

He endorsed Hillary! Wish I could vote for him, yet not my state.

Kudos Florida!

Go Dems!

[JoeOtterbein]

38. I wish I could vote for him in PA!

The Dem voters in FL are brilliant!

[Cha]

46. Andrew Gillium wanted President Obama's agenda

continued.. he endorsed who he thought was the best person. I'm impressed.

[sheshe2]

52. I am too, Cha.

I am liking him a lot. Watching news and listening to his comments. He is what Florida needs.

[Cha]

59. Sorry, I just found out that John Lewis did not endorse Andrew..

So cross him off..

More notable endorsements for Andrew..

Puerto Rican Governor Sila María Calderón Serra

Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL

U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.

Tom Steyer/NextGen America

Former U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy (D

U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif

Howard Dean, former Vermont governor and DNC chairman

George Soros

U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.)

U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-Fla.)

Wendy Davis, former Texas state senator and 2014 Democratic gubernatorial nominee

Julian Castro, former U.S. secretary of housing and urban development

San Juan, Puerto Rico, Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz

Many many more!
https://ballotpedia.org/Andrew_Gillum

[sheshe2]

62. That is one awesome list of endorsements, Cha.

Thanks for taking the time to do the homework.

[Cha]

67. You're Welcome, she, and Thank You! Just saw this from George!

Gillum was just interviewed on CNN - he said this was a win for "the Barack Obama wing.....

....the Hillary Clinton wing, and the Sanders wing of the Democratic Party."

They also did an analysis on CNN of the victory, and say it was because of the overwhelming black turnout for him in the state.

It's a truly broad-based win for the entire Democratic Party and Gillum.

George.. https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=2146130

[Cha]

73. I have to tell you she that

I was informed that John Lewis did Not endorse Gwen Graham.. so that list that ballotpedia provided was not accurate.

So I've been going around editing!

[R B Garr]

69. Thanks to you and sheshe for pointing this out, Cha!

Glad to see multiple endorsements! Glad to see Gillum endorsed Hillary. edit: just Googled and he was a Hillary Clinton delegate!

[Cha]

70. Sorry, RB.. I just edited my post..

I just found out that John Lewis did Not endorse Andrew.. so if you want to edit your post!

The link had it wrong.. great.

[R B Garr]

80. Still great info! I was just reading that billionaires

Steyer and Soros both were heavy contributors to a PAC backing him.

[Cha]

82. Yes, and here's Andrew speaking for Hillary at the DNC!

So grateful to have all these supporters for AG!

[Hermit-The-Prog]

48. slacker!

Don't just "wish" you could vote for him; get on the bus and vote! Thanks to my Soros bucks, I voted 5 times against ol' whatshisname mall stalker in Alabama and only had to cross 3 states to do so!








(I don't need special snicker tags for this comment, do I? Day-dreaming of trumpanzee heads exploding if they read the above).

[Cha]

83. Andrew speaking for Hillary Enthusiastically at the DNC!

[mcar]

90. He was a strong Hillary supporter

and is a solid Democrat!

[DownriverDem]

18. What's his

chances of winning the whole state?

[George II]

32. The "democratic wing"? What are you implying?

[rzemanfl]

45. Bookmarking. n/t

[Cha]

47. I asked him if it "The Democratic Wing" was like this Democratic Wing..

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=2146102

[George II]

55. Gillum was just interviewed on CNN - he said this was a win for "the Barack Obama wing.....

....the Hillary Clinton wing, and the Sanders wing of the Democratic Party."

They also did an analysis on CNN of the victory, and say it was because of the overwhelming black turnout for him in the state.

It's a truly broad-based win for the entire Democratic Party and Gillum.

[Cha]

61. Good to know!! I love him! Thank you, George!

I figured it was the Black Voters turn out.. I love them, too!

Notable Peeps who endorsed Andrew..

In fact John Lewis indorsed Andrew Gillum over a year before BS.

Puerto Rican Governor Sila María Calderón Serra

Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL

U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.

Tom Steyer/NextGen America

Former U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy (D

U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif

Howard Dean, former Vermont governor and DNC chairman

George Soros

U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.)

U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.)July 25, 2017

U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.)

U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-Fla.)

Wendy Davis, former Texas state senator and 2014 Democratic gubernatorial nominee

Julian Castro, former U.S. secretary of housing and urban development

U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.)May 17, 2017

San Juan, Puerto Rico, Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz

Many many more!
https://ballotpedia.org/Andrew_Gillum

[Cha]

40. Oh you mean like when Sharice Davids won the Primary in Kansas,

Gretchen Whitmer in Michigan, and Lacy Clay in Georgia?

That Democratic Wing!

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[Phoenix61]

10. I've seen him speak and he definitely has "it"

He is a very charismatic speaker which should help him get out the vote with the younger crowd.

[workinclasszero]

12. Florida Dems picked their candidate

So I will support their choice! Go democrats!!!

[mobeau69]

17. Pukes got their wish on the Dem side and we got our wish on the puke side.

Wow! The choice couldn't be more stark.

[StevieM]

16. He was also backed by Tom Steyer, a man who I hope will be our next president. (eom)

[George II]

30. +1,000,000

[Cha]

81. Andrew speaking for Hillary enthusiastically at the DNC!

[mcar]

19. I fully support Gillum

That said, the "Sanders backed" narrative is not inclusive. He is backed by a wide and diverse group of people and movements.

Go Andrew!

[mcar]

21. Yeah, maybe

[sheshe2]

23. :)

He endorsed Hill...I like him.

[mcar]

25. Me too, she

He has the passion I wanted to see. I did not expect this come from behind victory. I'm proud to support him.

[sheshe2]

56. You must be so excited, mcar.

[still_one]

26. Some seem to want to infer division, which it isn't. He is a Democrat, and supported the Democratic

nominee in 2016.

[mobeau69]

31. Yep, the traitor and his cultists are ticks on the nation and their lifeblood is division. nt

[CreekDog]

49. whomever alerted this, the poster was calling Trump a traitor not the Democrat

[mobeau69]

57. Gezz-O-Pete! I thought that was understood. Thanks, Dog.

[mcar]

34. He is a Democrat

and I am proud to support him.

[still_one]

39. Absolutely

[George II]

29. Yes, he had a lot of broad based support, including from two billionaires.

[mcar]

35. That's right

I was impressed by the broad range - and his truly grassroots campaign.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

54. another grassroots campaign...

I got all fingers crossed for this one (hey, we're overdue for a miracle):

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/aug/24/montana-midterms-kathleen-williams-greg-gianforte

She has a camper truck, he has a private jet – can a Democrat take Montana?


Kathleen Williams is the Democratic nominee taking on one of the wealthiest members of Congress for the state’s sole House seat, which the GOP has held for nearly three decades

[Voltaire2]

85. Lulzd

[BigmanPigman]

27. Wow, what a great night!

[JoeOtterbein]

50. Just watched him on CNN!!!! Super WOW!!!!

"We have the ability to bring people together"!!! "For all"!!!!

YEP!!!@!

He will win in Nov. Hands down!!!!

[George II]

28. I like Gillum, glad he won, but I read on twitter tonight that he was not only "Sanders-backed".....

....but also "George Soros-backed" and "Tom Steyer-backed", two billionaires who most likely put more of their money where their mouths were.

[mcar]

36. I'm not crazy for the MSM narrative

Bernie endorsed him, yes, but so did many other pols and groups. Gillum is a Democrat and got a lot of Democratic support.

[Cha]

58. Yes, Lots of Pols & notable Peeps endorsed Andrew.. it wasn't just BS..

Last edited Wed Aug 29, 2018, 12:07 AM - Edit history (1)

Puerto Rican Governor Sila María Calderón Serra

Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL

U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.

Tom Steyer/NextGen America

Former U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy (D

U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif

Howard Dean, former Vermont governor and DNC chairman

George Soros

U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.)


U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.)

U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-Fla.)

Wendy Davis, former Texas state senator and 2014 Democratic gubernatorial nominee

Julian Castro, former U.S. secretary of housing and urban development

San Juan, Puerto Rico, Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz

Many many more!
https://ballotpedia.org/Andrew_Gillum

[melman]

64. This list is not accurate

Many of those people endorsed Gwen Graham.


For example...

John Lewis

https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2017/05/17/congressman-john-lewis-endorses-gwen-graham/101796480/


Kirsten Gillibrand

https://www.emilyslist.org/news/entry/kirsten-gillibrand-hearts-gwen-graham


Steny Hoyer

https://www.tampabay.com/gwen-graham-gets-endorsed-by-former-congressional-colleague/2331495

[Cha]

68. Wow.. they sure got that wrong. Thanks.

[Cha]

72. And, as you said.. It was the Black Voters who Really GOTV

for Andrew.. They get credit, too!

[bucolic_frolic]

37. That's a stunner

[welivetotreadonkings]

42. Way to go, Florida!

Let's win this thing in the fall!

[Uncle Joe]

43. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread mobeau.

[mobeau69]

44. He was awesome in the debate!

[KY_EnviroGuy]

60. I have questions for wiser heads....

Why does The Hill prejudice it's readers in the article's headline? Why couldn't they just say "Democrat Gillum wins major upset...."?

Nothing against Bernie and I'm glad he helped, but for gosh sake, this gives the Repugs double the ammo to attack with their socialist labels.

The article was mostly chatter about Bernie, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and celebrity endorsements rather than the candidate's Democratic Party platform chops and all the great things he intends to do for Florida. And, why didn't they include congratulatory messages from mainstream Democratic politicians?

Nothing wrong with discussing these affiliations down the road but my objection is with the content and tone of a first-out announcement of a primary win.

See Mayor Gillum's campaign web site here: https://andrewgillum.com/

[Cha]

65. Andrew Gillum got a lot of endorsements and he said this on tv right now..

Puerto Rican Governor Sila María Calderón Serra

Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL

U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.

Tom Steyer/NextGen America

Former U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy (D

U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif

Howard Dean, former Vermont governor and DNC chairman

George Soros

U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.)


U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-Fla.)

Wendy Davis, former Texas state senator and 2014 Democratic gubernatorial nominee

Julian Castro, former U.S. secretary of housing and urban development

San Juan, Puerto Rico, Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz

Many many more!
https://ballotpedia.org/Andrew_Gillum



And, to top it off.. George just posted a report from tv of AG saying..

Gillum was just interviewed on CNN - he said this was a win for "the Barack Obama wing.....

....the Hillary Clinton wing, and the Sanders wing of the Democratic Party."

They also did an analysis on CNN of the victory, and say it was because of the overwhelming black turnout for him in the state.

It's a truly broad-based win for the entire Democratic Party and Gillum.

George https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=2146130

[KY_EnviroGuy]

75. "It's a truly broad-based win for the entire Democratic Party and Gillum."

Thank you, Cha, and that's the way it should be headlined. I think what we're witnessing is star-power sensationalism at its worst - the exact same crap coverage that put Trump in office. I watched it happening not only in US media but also in most outlets around the globe in 2015/16, to the point of making me ill. For months on end, I couldn't escape it just to read my daily news.

The demonization of the very name of our Party by Republicans must stop, and we need to insure the name is kept front and center in the media to counter their lying narrative.

Thanks for posting that list.......

[Cha]

77. Yes, I'm so impressed with Andrew Gillum.. I got a crash course!

You're Welcome, KYGuy

[mobeau69]

66. I wouldn't read too much into a headline. Bernie campaigned for Andrew on the ground.

He headlined a big rally in Tampa for Gillum this month.

[Cha]

71. And, George said Andrew said this on tv just now..

Gillum was just interviewed on CNN - he said this was a win for "the Barack Obama wing.....

....the Hillary Clinton wing, and the Sanders wing of the Democratic Party."

They also did an analysis on CNN of the victory, and say it was because of the overwhelming black turnout for him in the state.

It's a truly broad-based win for the entire Democratic Party and Gillum.

George.. https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=2146130

[lunamagica]

63. A true Democrat who ensorsed Hillary Clinton in he '16 primaries

http://floridapolitics.com/archives/202564-andrew-gillum-backs-hillary-clinton

Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum finally laid his 2016 cards on the table, endorsing Hillary Clinton for president less than 30 days out from Florida’s March 15 primary.

“Hillary Clinton has put forward an agenda focused on moving our nation forward – and building on the tremendous progress made by President Obama. Her experience and legacy of leadership speak to the kind of purpose-driven President she will be, and the kind of commander in chief the American people deserve,” said Gillum in a prepared statement.

“As a Mayor, I understand the importance of bringing real and pragmatic solutions to the issues that face our communities. Hillary Clinton has put forward innovative ideas focused on making college more affordable, raising incomes for working families, restoring balance and fairness to our criminal justice system, and addressing issues of climate change,” said the first-term Democratic mayor and former city commissioner.

“Hillary Clinton is the change-maker this nation needs. I believe she stands first and foremost for American progress, and I know she’ll make a real difference in the lives of the people in Florida and all over the country.”

[Tom Rinaldo]

74. Yes, and still Bernie Sanders endorsed him for Governor

We all need to be thinking unity now and getting past the 2016 primaries. If we do we will see more candidates like Gillum emerge.

[radical noodle]

78. Emerging isn't enough

The primaries can be misleading. We must GOTV for Democrats this year. I can't stand thinking about having DeSantis as governor for four years.

[obamanut2012]

86. DeSantis is going to be our Gov

It makes me sick. Gwen at least had a fighting chance.

[cliffside]

79. It could be an uphill battle, one I happy to join ...

my daughter voted for him and I can make phone calls and donate from another state.

[StevieM]

84. It was Tom Steyer who first introduced me the Andrew Gillum. That endorsement mattered a lot to me.

I hope that Andrew Gillum is the next governor of Florida. And I hope that Tom Steyer is the next president of the United States.

[obamanut2012]

87. DESantis will win

And he is a vile person.

Gwen had a chance of winning, Gillum doesn't.

[padah513]

88. He beat her

So why not?

[StevieM]

93. Regardless of whether Gillum ultimately does win or not, he certainly has a chance of winning.

He is a solid candidate, DeSantis is evil and Trump is horribly unpopular.

[George II]

92. Tom Steyer thinks enough of him to put $500,000 into his campaign.

[ehrnst]

89. Another Hillary campaign alum turns the Blue wave a little less white!

Randall Woodfin is another.

She still makes a difference.

[Blue_Tires]

91. Hopefully he performs better than Bernie's other endorsements...