Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum raised more than $1 million the day after he notched a stunning win in Florida’s Democratic gubernatorial primary.
The lucrative day of fundraising also came as his opponent, Rep. Ron DeSantisRonald Dion DeSantisGOP tentatively decides on Jacksonville for site of convention DeSantis pushing to host Republican National Convention in Florida Florida bars and theaters to reopen starting Friday, DeSantis says MORE (R), came under fire after saying in an interview on Fox News on Wednesday that voters should not “monkey this up” by electing Gillum, who would become Florida’s first black governor if elected in November.
Gillum, a progressive who has aligned himself with Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Milley apologizes for church photo-op Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness MORE (I-Vt.), also faced attacks from President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE.
ADVERTISEMENT
The $1 million cash infusion signals that donors, large and small, may be prepared to rally behind Gillum as the Democratic nominee to replace Gov. Rick Scott (R), who is currently seeking the Senate seat held by Sen. Bill NelsonClarence (Bill) William NelsonNASA, SpaceX and the private-public partnership that caused the flight of the Crew Dragon Lobbying world The most expensive congressional races of the last decade MORE (D).
Gillum routinely trailed his primary opponents, including two millionaires and a billionaire, in fundraising ahead of Tuesday’s contest. Until Wednesday, his best fundraising stretch came earlier this month when he brought in $509,391 between Aug. 4 and Aug. 10.
The 39-year-old Tallahassee mayor is likely to face a bitter and expensive general election bid against DeSantis, a three-term congressman who has the backing of Trump and has cast himself as a defender of the president’s agenda.
The “monkey this up” comment prompted accusations that DeSantis was using a racist dog whistle to attack his opponent. In a second interview on Fox News Wednesday night, DeSantis insisted that his comment had “zero to do with race.”
Click Here: Golf special