Florida’s upcoming governor’s race is shaping up to be a major 2020 indicator, with Bernie Sanders-backed Democrat Andrew Gillum facing-off against President Trump’s favored candidate Ron DeSantis.
“With 94 percent of the votes counted, Gillum had an unofficial 3 percentage point lead over his closest rival, former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham. Gillum overwhelmed Graham in Miami-Dade and Broward, the state’s two largest Democratic counties, by more than a 2-to-1 margin, in the highest turnout for a midterm primary election in Florida history,” writes the Miami Herald.
“I am overwhelmed,” said Gillum in Tallahassee Tuesday night. “I want you to know that this thing is not about me. This race is about every single one of us. Those of us inside this room. Those outside of this room. Those who voted for me. Those who didn’t vote at all. And those who didn’t vote for me because they are Republicans. But I want to be their governor, too.”
President Trump praised DeSantis Tuesday evening, saying the GOP candidate would be a “great governor” for the residents of Florida.
Read the full story at the Miami Herald.
MAGA IN FLA: Trump-Backed Candidate Wins GOP Primary for Governor
Rep. Ron DeSantis, President Trump’s personal pick to win the GOP governor primary in Florida, declared victory Tuesday night; posting huge gains and defeating the state’s Agricultural Commissioner as the candidate sets his sights on the general election.
Fox News projected the victory at approximately 8:30pm Tuesday evening, with sitting Governor Rick Scott -faced with term limits- winning the GOP nomination for the Senate.
“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!” tweeted Trump.
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
“DeSantis will face off in November against the winner of Tuesday’s Democratic gubernatorial primary. Although it is too early to project a winner in that contest, former Rep. Gwen Graham, daughter of former Florida governor and Sen. Bob Graham, has a lead over half a dozen competitors,” writes Fox News.
Read the full story here.
MAGA IN OHIO: Trump-Backed GOP Candidate WINS Special Election
The Trump-backed GOP candidate in Ohio’s special election claimed victory Tuesday night; reportedly defeating his Democratic challenger and denying liberal lawmakers an additional seat in the House of Representatives.
The President campaigned hard for Republican State Senator Troy Balderson in the days leading up to this week’s special election; promoting the candidate as Democrats hoped a landslide victory would signal disaster for the GOP heading into the 2018 midterms.
“When I decided to go to Ohio for Troy Balderson, he was down in early voting 64 to 36. That was not good. After my speech on Saturday night, there was a big turn for the better. Now Troy wins a great victory during a very tough time of the year for voting. He will win BIG in Nov,” tweeted Trump.
When I decided to go to Ohio for Troy Balderson, he was down in early voting 64 to 36. That was not good. After my speech on Saturday night, there was a big turn for the better. Now Troy wins a great victory during a very tough time of the year for voting. He will win BIG in Nov.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 8, 2018
The unofficial vote has Balderson with 101,574 votes and his challenger O’Connor wit 99,820; a razor thin difference of just 1,754 votes.