Mitch Perry
Democracy for America, the progressive advocacy group founded in 2004 by former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, is endorsing Andrew Gillum for Florida Governor in 2018.
“As the Mayor of Tallahassee, Andrew Gillum has stood up to the NRA and made it clear that he will protect immigrants against the Trump administration,” says Democracy for America Chair Jim Dean in an announcement Monday. “He has a vision for the state that includes progressive policies like a $15 minimum wage and ending discrimination against those who have been incarcerated.”
Gillum said he was deeply honored to get the endorsement from the national organization, which backed Bernie Sanders in the 2016 presidential race.
“The stakes have never been higher for Florida,” he said in a statement. “Nearly half of all our households are struggling to make ends meet, wages are down in nearly two-thirds of our counties, and Floridians in every corner of our state are asking why they can’t get ahead anymore.”
DFA has more than 97,000 members in Florida; since its founding, the group contributed more than $40 million to help elect hundreds of progressive candidates across the nation.
Gillum is running against Winter Park businessman Chris King and former Congresswoman Gwen Graham for the Democratic nomination for governor in 2018. The endorsement from DFA shows that nationally, at least, he is considered the most progressive Democrat running for governor.
