Andrew Gillum to thank Jacksonville supporters Wednesday

Andrew Gillum has withstood slings and arrows, and is still in the game.

Former Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum will bring his statewide “thank you” tour to 1904 Music Club in Jacksonville Wednesday evening.

Gillum, who narrowly lost the 2018 race for Governor last month, has been floated already as a 2020 Presidential candidate, with reports of conversations with Barack Obama and Beto O’Rourke already circulating, as well as a closed-door talk with Democratic donors Tuesday.

When Gillum last visited 1904, the primary loomed and most polls showed Gwen Graham as the likely nominee. The concept of the “#GillumSurge” was roundly mocked.

Hundreds of supporters crowded the hipster bar, with Gillum’s stump speech elevating to the level of performance art at times in the space.

The energy foreshadowed the primary result.

Gillum performed especially well in Duval County in the primary and the general,

The FBI investigation into Tallahassee public officials, a narrative exploited by Governor-elect Ron DeSantis in the campaign to imply Gillum’s guilt, reportedly saw two indictments this week. Neither were Gillum.

One can speculate that the election may have gone differently if the FBI had been quicker in its investigation.

With Gillum clearly eyeing his next political move, it will be interesting to hear what the once (and likely future) candidate says Wednesday in Jacksonville.