Andrew Gillum

Andrew Gillum
Born	Andrew Demetric Gillum 7/26/1979
Birthplace	Miami, Florida, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician
Known for	126th Mayor of Tallahassee; 2018 Florida Democratic gubernatorial nominee
Education	Florida A&M University (BA)
Children	3

Andrew Demetric Gillum (born July 26, 1979) is an American former politician who served as the 126th mayor of Tallahassee, Florida, from 2014 to 2018, and as a Tallahassee city commissioner from 2003 to 2014. A member of the Democratic Party, Gillum gained national prominence in 2018 when he won a crowded Democratic primary for governor of Florida, defeating candidates including former U.S. Representative Gwen Graham and former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine. He went on to lose one of the closest gubernatorial races in modern American history to Republican U.S. Representative Ron DeSantis, falling short by fewer than 34,000 votes — a margin of just 0.4%. Gillum's rise from city commissioner to near-governor of one of the nation's most consequential swing states made him a prominent figure in progressive Democratic politics. His subsequent personal and legal troubles, including a 2020 withdrawal from public life and a 2022 federal indictment on fraud charges — of which he was partially acquitted and the remaining charges dismissed — marked a dramatic fall from the heights of his political career.

Early Life

Andrew Demetric Gillum was born on July 26, 1979, in Miami, Florida. He grew up in one of the larger families in his community and was shaped by experiences that would later inform his political focus on issues of economic opportunity and criminal justice reform. Gillum has spoken publicly about the challenges he faced growing up and how those experiences motivated him to pursue public service at a young age.

Gillum moved to Tallahassee, Florida, to attend college, and the city would become his long-term home and the base of his political career. His early involvement in community organizing and student activism laid the groundwork for his entry into local politics while still a young man. Gillum was notably elected to the Tallahassee City Commission at the age of 23, making him one of the youngest people ever to hold such a position in the city.

Education

Gillum attended Florida A&M University (FAMU), a historically Black university located in Tallahassee, where he earned a bachelor's degree. His time at FAMU was instrumental in shaping his political identity and connecting him to networks that would support his early entry into public office. He was involved in student government and community engagement during his college years.

Gillum later participated in programs at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, where he spoke about his experiences in politics and his gubernatorial campaign.

Career

Tallahassee City Commission (2003–2014)

Gillum began his career in elected office in 2003, when he was sworn in as a member of the Tallahassee City Commission representing the 2nd seat. He succeeded John Paul Bailey in the position. At 23 years old at the time of his election, Gillum was among the youngest city commissioners in Tallahassee's history.

During his more than a decade on the city commission, Gillum focused on a range of policy issues including economic development, public safety, and criminal justice reform. He became an advocate for restorative justice programs, which seek alternatives to traditional punitive approaches in the juvenile justice system. The city of Tallahassee offered restorative justice training sessions under initiatives Gillum supported.

Gillum also contributed as a columnist and commentator on political issues during this period, writing for outlets including The Huffington Post.

Mayor of Tallahassee (2014–2018)

In 2013, Gillum confirmed his interest in running for mayor of Tallahassee. He formally qualified as a candidate ahead of the 2014 qualifying deadline.

Gillum won the mayoral primary election in August 2014, capturing the seat outright without the need for a runoff. He succeeded John Marks as mayor. Upon winning the election, Curtis B. Richardson was elected to fill Gillum's former city commission seat.

During his transition to the mayoral office, Gillum met with other mayors as part of his preparations and launched a Mayoral Fellows Program designed to engage young people in city government.

Gillum was formally sworn in as the 126th mayor of Tallahassee on November 21, 2014. During his swearing-in ceremony, he spoke about themes of hope and unity for the city.

As mayor, Gillum pursued several progressive policy initiatives. He advocated for "ban the box" policies, which remove questions about criminal history from initial job applications in order to reduce barriers to employment for people with prior convictions. Gillum argued that such policies helped individuals "pass the first hurdle" in the hiring process.

Gillum also focused on infrastructure and transportation issues. In February 2015, Tallahassee was the first stop on the federal government's "Grow America Express" tour, which promoted long-term investment in transportation infrastructure for mid-size cities.

Gillum served as mayor until November 19, 2018, when he was succeeded by John E. Dailey.

2018 Gubernatorial Campaign

Gillum entered the 2018 race for governor of Florida as a progressive candidate in a crowded Democratic primary field that included former U.S. Representative Gwen Graham, former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine, and several other candidates. His campaign emphasized progressive policy positions including expanded healthcare access, gun control, and increased investment in public education.

Gillum's candidacy attracted attention from progressive organizations and national figures. National Nurses United endorsed his campaign in June 2018, citing his work on behalf of working people and his progressive policy platform.

The New Yorker profiled Gillum's campaign in August 2018, placing it within the broader context of the progressive movement's efforts to push the Democratic Party to the left. The profile followed Gillum on the campaign trail as he sought to build a coalition of progressive voters, young people, and communities of color in the state.

In a result that surprised many political observers, Gillum won the Democratic primary on August 28, 2018, defeating the better-funded and higher-polling Graham and Levine. NPR described him as "the unexpected Democratic candidate for governor," noting that he had beaten a former congresswoman who had polled ahead of him in many surveys.

In the general election, Gillum faced Republican nominee Ron DeSantis, a U.S. Representative who had received the endorsement of President Donald Trump. The race was one of the most closely watched gubernatorial contests in the country during the 2018 midterm elections. Gillum received more votes than any previous Democratic candidate for governor in Florida, but ultimately lost to DeSantis by fewer than 34,000 votes, a margin of approximately 0.4%.

The Tallahassee Democrat identified four factors that contributed to Gillum's narrow defeat, noting that despite his strong performance among Democratic voters, several issues weighed against him in the general election. The Miami Herald editorial board later assessed that Gillum's loss had broader consequences for the Florida Democratic Party, arguing that his defeat and subsequent personal troubles contributed to the party's struggles in the state.

Post-Campaign Activities and Withdrawal from Public Life

Following his defeat in the 2018 gubernatorial race, Gillum remained active in Democratic politics and voter registration efforts. He spoke publicly about his campaign experience and the lessons he drew from it, including an appearance at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government in April 2019 where he discussed "speaking up and running unapologetically."

However, Gillum's post-campaign public life came to an abrupt end in March 2020. According to reporting by Politico, Gillum announced that he would withdraw from public life after being linked to a suspected drug overdose incident at a Miami Beach hotel room. The incident represented a dramatic shift from the peak of his political career to the end of his active involvement in public affairs.

Federal Indictment and Trial

In 2022, Gillum was indicted by a federal grand jury on 21 felony counts, including wire fraud, conspiracy, and making false statements. The charges alleged that Gillum had diverted money raised during his gubernatorial campaign to a company controlled by one of his top advisors.

The case went to trial in federal court. In May 2023, the jury reached a verdict of not guilty on the charge of making false statements to the FBI. However, the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict on the remaining counts, resulting in a hung jury on those charges. Following the partial acquittal and hung jury, federal prosecutors moved to dismiss the remaining charges against Gillum in May 2023, effectively bringing the criminal case to a close.

Personal Life

Gillum is the father of three children. He has been based in Tallahassee, Florida, for most of his adult life, having moved to the city to attend Florida A&M University and remaining there throughout his political career.

In March 2020, Gillum publicly acknowledged struggles with alcohol and announced his decision to enter rehabilitation. This followed the Miami Beach hotel incident that led to his withdrawal from public life. Gillum's personal difficulties in the wake of his 2018 campaign loss attracted significant media attention and public discussion.

At the Harvard Kennedy School event in April 2019, Gillum appeared alongside Aisha Moodie-Mills, described as a national leader on LGBTQ rights, to discuss his political journey and personal experiences.

Recognition

Gillum's 2018 gubernatorial campaign drew national attention for its progressive platform and the historic nature of his candidacy as a Democratic nominee in Florida. His primary victory over better-known and better-funded opponents was described by multiple outlets as an upset that reflected the growing influence of progressive politics within the Democratic Party.

National Nurses United cited Gillum's advocacy for working people as the basis for their endorsement of his gubernatorial campaign, one of several endorsements from progressive organizations that Gillum received during the 2018 race.

As mayor of Tallahassee, Gillum gained recognition for his work on criminal justice reform, particularly his advocacy for "ban the box" policies and restorative justice programs. The selection of Tallahassee as the first stop on the federal government's Grow America Express tour in 2015 was a notable event during his tenure.

Legacy

Andrew Gillum's political career encompasses both the possibilities and risks of rapid political ascent. His election as a young city commissioner at age 23 and his rise to the Tallahassee mayoralty demonstrated his ability to build coalitions and mobilize voters in local politics. His 2018 gubernatorial campaign, in which he defeated better-known Democratic rivals and came within 34,000 votes of the governorship, positioned him as a figure of national significance within progressive Democratic politics.

The Miami Herald editorial board assessed that Gillum's loss to Ron DeSantis and his subsequent personal and legal difficulties had lasting consequences for the Florida Democratic Party, contributing to a period of organizational weakness for Democrats in the state. The closeness of the 2018 race — DeSantis won by just 0.4% — has prompted ongoing discussion about what might have been different in Florida politics had the outcome gone the other way.

Gillum's trajectory from a promising young politician to a figure beset by personal crises and federal charges became a cautionary narrative in Florida political history. The dismissal of the remaining federal charges against him in 2023, following his acquittal on the false statements count, left his legal situation resolved but his political career effectively concluded.