The stage has been set for Florida’s 2018 Gubernatorial Race.
Come November, Republican Ron DeSantis will face off against Democrat Andrew Gillum.
Ron DeSantis won the Republican nomination for governor in Florida’s primary, beating Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam.
On the Democratic side, it was an extremely close race between Andrew Gillum and Gwen Graham but Gillum eventually took the nomination.
Here’s what you need to know about both of the candidates.
ANDREW GILLUM:
Andrew Gillum is currently the Mayor of Tallahassee. He was the first person in his family to graduate college and has 15 years of public service experience. If Gillum wins in November, he would be Florida’s first black governor.
GUN SAFETY:
If elected, Gillum says he will “never back down from common sense solutions to keep our streets, parks, and schools safe from gun violence.”
After the Stoneman Douglas massacre, Gillum says he “led the charge” for policies including:
- A ban on assault weapons, large capacity magazines and bump stocks
- Strengthening and requiring universal background checks
- Closing private sale loopholes
- Restricting gun access for the mentally ill and known foreign and domestic terrorists
- Prohibiting gun possession for people with felony and misdemeanor domestic violence and stalking convictions
- Banning the purchase and possession of armor-piercing bullets
Gillum is a Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate. The NRA has given him a grade of F.
ENVIRONMENT:
According to his website, Gillum believes that climate change is real and is an urgent threat. He believes the best way to address the impacts of climate change is to “to embrace a plan to transition Florida to clean energy as rapidly as possible.”
Gillum says, if elected, he will work to keep our water clean from toxic algae blooms and fight to protect Florida’s access to clean water sources.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM:
Gillum says he supports the legalization of marijuana, “in order to generate new revenue to pay for teacher and instructional staff pay increases and to reduce the mass incarceration of people with low-level drug offenses.”
IMMIGRATION:
Gillum’s website says he supports a “comprehensive immigration overhaul.” That includes abolishing ICE in its current form “to be replaced with a more compassionate and focused agency.”
LGBTQ:
If elected, Gillum says he will work to address LGBTQ discrimination issues through statewide policies that will ensure equal treatment and equal rights for all Floridians.
WOMEN’S RIGHTS:
Gillum says he will push for equal pay legislation and will protect and encourage women-owned businesses.
Gillum’s website states that he “trusts women to make their own healthcare decisions with their doctor — not politicians.” He says he is the only candidate to propose a law protecting women’s access to no-cost contraceptive care under Obamacare.
RON DESANTIS:
Ron DeSantis is currently a U.S. Representative for Florida’s Sixth District. He graduated from Yale University and later from Harvard Law School. During his time at Harvard, DeSantis earned a commission in the US Navy as a JAG officer.
During his active duty service, DeSantis supported operations at Guantanamo Bay and deployed to Iraq as an adviser to a US Navy SEAL commander. He earned a Bronze Star medal for meritorious service and the Iraq campaign medal.
DeSantis is endorsed by President Donald Trump and rallied with him in Tampa earlier this month.
DEFENDING FLORIDIANS’ RIGHTS:
DeSantis says, if elected, he will stand up for law-abiding Floridians by defending their Second Amendment rights. DeSantis has an A grade from the NRA.
According to his website, DeSantis will also sign pro-life legislation into law to defend the right to life.
He plans to defend First Amendment rights “against those in academia, media and politics who seek to silence conservatives.”
IMMIGRATION:
DeSantis says he will not allow sanctuary cities in Florida. He also plans to enact E-verify to “ensure a legal workforce and higher wages for Floridians.
ENVIRONMENT:
According to his website, DeSantis will improve water quality and safeguard the state’s natural resources.
In order to protect our coasts, DeSantis says he will stop toxic discharges from Lake Okeechobee and will store and clean polluted water south of the lake.
His plan also includes beach restoration, flood mitigation and restoring the Everglades.
EDUCATION:
DeSantis’ website says he will improve education by stopping Common Core and prioritizing American civics and the study of the Constitution.
DeSantis says he will promote skills-based education and vocational training.
In order to make sure all of the state’s children have access to high-quality education, DeSantis says he will enhance parental choice programs.
ECONOMY:
DeSantis’ plan to continue “Florida’s economic momentum” includes maintaining the status as a low-tax state by opposing tax increases.
He also says he will support a constitutional amendment requiring a supermajority vote in the Legislature to raise taxes.
If elected, DeSantis also says he will eliminate unreasonable regulations, reduce bureaucracy and crack down on lawsuit abuse.
