FL-GOV: Andrew Gillum: Gwen Graham 'in the mix' for LG pick

[RandySF]

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Andrew Gillum and second-place finisher Gwen Graham ran tough campaigns against each other in the Democratic primary, but Gillum allowed Monday that Graham is “in the mix” for the Lieutenant Governor spot on the ticket.

The decision must be made by Thursday. Gillum is reportedly considering Graham, former U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, Lauren Book, state Reps. Kristin Jacobs and Amy Mercado, and Palm Beach County Mayor Melissa McKinlay.

Speaking to media Monday in Jacksonville, Gillum didn’t sound like he was done with his vetting process. Yet, despite the sometimes chippy nature of the primary sparring between the two camps, Graham (the presumptive nominee until the ballots started rolling in from metropolitan areas) could be on the ticket, Gillum said.

Gillum described the LG pick as his “number one priority at this time.”

“Gwen is in the mix, of course,” Gillum said. “I’d say anyone who ran for governor is also in the mix.”

Whether Gillum will ultimately pick Graham or another primary rival such as Philip Levine or Chris King, remains to be seen.


http://floridapolitics.com/archives/273748-andrew-gillum-gwen-graham-in-the-mix-for-lg-pick



ANDREW GILLUM






https://andrewgillum.com

[NightWatcher]

1. In tight primaries, I'd love to see this more and more.

[mcar]

2. A smart move, IMO

I'm sure he's thinking carefully about it.

[RandySF]

3. This is what separates him from El-Sayed and Kucinich

He didn't spend the primary crapping on the party.

[mcar]

4. He is a good Democrat

through and through!

[Cha]

15. Have you seen this tweet from Andrew, mcar?

Link to tweet

[Cha]

13. Yes! Andrew is a Uniter!

Link to tweet

I love it

[Sancho]

5. I hope he picks a woman...

[Awsi Dooger]

6. I prefer Kristin Jacobs at first glance of those names

I know she has a strong emphasis on water issues and climate change. That might help in this environment.

But I'm not overly familiar with the other candidates, besides Graham

[StevieM]

8. I didn't know anything about Kristin Jacobs but you just sold me on her. We need candidates who

emphasize climate change and other environmental issues.

I sincerely hope that Tom Steyer, a great environmentalist, will be our nominee for president in 2020.

[Blue_true]

10. Actually, all of the women on the list emphasize action on the climate.

All have political records. Research them.

[Awsi Dooger]

12. That may be true

I didn't mean to diminish any of the others. Jacobs is not far away from me so I've seen her on TV a few times and read related articles in the paper, so I knew enough merely from the name.

[Blue_true]

14. Gillum has a good short list to chose from. nt

[Blue_true]

9. I read up on Book, young, but has a decent resume, she is a State Senator.

Book seems to come from a politically well connected family, her dad is a top lobbyist (a negative with some, but for me it depends upon what he lobbies for, plus the daughter has her own legislative record). Mercado is from the Orange County area and is a state rep, decent record, but only two years in the legislature. McKinlay brings the type of executive experience that Gillum already has, that is why I rate her behind Graham, Book and Mercado, the three women bring legislative experience, with Book and Mercado bringing Florida level experience.

[Blue_true]

7. My rank choice.

Graham, Book, Mercado, McKinlay. I would put Murphy last. He has some very capable women on his short list to put as second on the ticket, he should chose one of them.

[obamanut2012]

19. Those are my heart picks in that order

[superpatriotman]

11. We had four great candidates

Florida could have a more progressive future with all of them.

[Awsi Dooger]

16. Pick announced Thursday morning at 10 AM Eastern on Facebook

Link to tweet

His opponent DeSantis chose a Cuban-American woman for lieutenant governor. I don't know if that will influence Gillum to also choose a woman. That seems to be a favorite anyway, based on the reported list.

Gillum needs to have good responses soon to the FBI probe dealing with Tallahassee issues. I noticed the Miami Herald and Orlando Sentinel are already posting related stories and asking Gillum for responses. The Sentinel online headline somehow claimed the probe left Gillum "stumbling out of starting blocks," which is ridiculous.

[Hortensis]

17. FL's LG mostly assists the governor with the huge

and immensely complex job of running a state. I hope he picks a very good administrator, someone who knows a great deal about Florida's issues and a great deal about the various ways they can be addressed. Too bad a former governor or LG is unlikely to be on the list, but at least Gillum has been a mayor of a sizable city.

[obamanut2012]

18. He would be very, very smart to choose Gwen

And, I hope he does, as much as I like Murphy and Mercado.

Still an uphill battle, but it would help the odds, esp for folks who really like Bob Graham. And, I give Gwen huge props for immediately endorsing him and promising to campaign for him.

[SkyDancer]

20. He's going to be going places

and he is someone we will be hearing a LOT more of from in the future!

We are really stacking the bench with people like him! I love it!