Campaign

Trump hits Gillum: Florida doesn’t need ‘failed Socialist Mayor’ as governor

by Emily Birnbaum - 08/29/18 8:47 AM ET

President Trump on Wednesday lashed out at Florida gubernatorial hopeful Andrew Gillum (D) following his stunning win in the Florida Democratic primary Tuesday night.

{mosads}The president in a tweet said that Florida doesn’t need a “failed Socialist Mayor” to serve as the state’s governor, referencing Gillum’s progressive platform, while expressing support for Gillum’s opponent, Rep. Ron DeSantis (R).

“Not only did Congressman Ron DeSantis easily win the Republican Primary, but his opponent in November is his biggest dream….a failed Socialist Mayor named Andrew Gillum who has allowed crime & many other problems to flourish in his city,” Trump tweeted. “This is not what Florida wants or needs!”

Not only did Congressman Ron DeSantis easily win the Republican Primary, but his opponent in November is his biggest dream….a failed Socialist Mayor named Andrew Gillum who has allowed crime & many other problems to flourish in his city. This is not what Florida wants or needs!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 29, 2018

Gillum, the mayor of the state capital, Tallahassee, will face off with DeSantis in November’s general election.

DeSantis is a Trump loyalist who the president endorsed in the Republican primary.

Trump sent a separate tweet Tuesday night congratulating DeSantis after his overwhelming primary win against over Adam Putnam, who was at one point favored to win the GOP primary before Trump came out swinging for the Florida congressman.

“Such a fantastic win for Ron DeSantis and the people of the Great State of Florida,” the president tweeted on Tuesday evening. “Ron will be a fantastic Governor. On to November!”

Such a fantastic win for Ron DeSantis and the people of the Great State of Florida. Ron will be a fantastic Governor. On to November!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 29, 2018

Gillum, who campaigned on a progressive agenda and won the backing of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), unexpectedly edged out former Rep. Gwen Graham (D-Fla.) in the primary, drawing comparisons to the stunning June primary victory of Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez over a longtime incumbent in New York.

If elected, Gillum would be the first black governor in Florida’s history.

“What has made Andrew’s campaign so powerful is that he’s not just working hard to win an election, he has laid out a vision for a new course for the state of Florida and our country,” Sanders said in a statement. “No one person can take on the economic and political elites on their own.”