Ex-Governor's Candidate In Florida Says He's Entering Rehab

[appalachiablue]

Source: ABC News/AP

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Former Florida candidate for governor Andrew Gillum disclosed Sunday that he is entering a rehabilitation facility, saying he had fallen into a depression and alcohol abuse after losing his bid for the state's highest post.

The Democrat's statement came days after Gillum was named in a South Florida police report Friday that said he was “inebriated" and initially unresponsive in a hotel room along with a male companion where authorities found baggies of suspected crystal methamphetamine.

Gillum, the former Tallahassee mayor who ran for governor in 2018, was not charged with any crime. The Miami Beach police report said Gillum was allowed to leave the hotel for home after he was checked out medically. Gillum said in his statement Sunday night that he resolved to seek help after conversations with his family and deep reflection, calling the decision “a wake-up call for me."

“Since my race for governor ended, I fell into a depression that has led to alcohol abuse," he said, pledging to work to “heal fully and show up in the world as a more complete person." He said he would be stepping down from “all public facing roles" at this time...


Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/governors-candidate-florida-entering-rehab-69613319

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- Nov. 10, 2018 file photo, Andrew Gillum the Democrat candidate for governor speaks at a news conference in Tallahassee, Fla. Gillum is named in a police report Friday, March 13, 2020 saying he was “inebriated" and initially unresponsive in a hotel room where authorities found baggies of suspected crystal methamphetamine. Gillum, the former Tallahassee mayor who ran for governor in 2018, is not charged with any crime. The Miami Beach police report says that Gillum was allowed to leave the hotel for home after he was checked out medically. (AP).

[babylonsister]

1. Really sad. I voted for him. nt

[OAITW r.2.0]

2. Sucks for us. Another charasmatic Democrat with national asperations sidelined.

This is like John Edwards. Had a lot of faith in John, but he blew it.

At least we police our own. Had he been a Republican, his transgression would have been managed....as long as he voted the Party way.

[appalachiablue]

7. Real shame and I hold similar views. However Dems know that

they're held to a higher standard like women and minorities have been for ages. Serious temptations are out there and the stakes are very high.

[IcyPeas]

3. But Matt gaetz...

Sits next to the president

IOKIYAR

[marble falls]

4. I'd vote for him. He really and trully was robbed.

[iluvtennis]

5. Gillum is a good guy. Glad to her he is rentering rehab, his family needs him. And we need young

Dems like him to help keep the party going.

[evertonfc]

6. He's done. Irrelevant going forward

My guess is he had issues before his defeat. I work in politics and many of these people are self absorbed and self entitled. Unbievable carelessness. Adios Next.

[BigmanPigman]

9. I sense he had issues before this too.

[not_the_one]

15. Some are still trying to live multiple lives, and haven't found out how to be true.

Like Ru says, if you can't love yourself, how can you love anybody else...

He had the right combination, looks, articulate, smart.

If he can get the personal stuff straightened out (pun intended), he may be able to make a comeback.

I think the meth hurts more than anything else, IF he was using.

[LisaM]

17. My thoughts too, since he wasn't convicted of a crime himself.

He shouldn't have been anywhere near crystal meth.

[Skittles]

8. good for him

I wish him well.

[tulipsandroses]

10. Good for him. I wish him well. I work in mental health/addiction and I know that no one

is immune. I've seen it all. I hope he can turn this around.

First he needs to take care of himself. Marion Barry survived being caught smoking crack cocaine so anything is possible.

[appalachiablue]

11. This reminded me of Marion Barry as well, very difficult story. I hope

Gillum works through problems and saves his marriage and family.

[stillcool]

12. Good for him...

As they say...it's not how many times you fall down, but how many times you get up.

[Pentatonic]

13. He's still in denial

He’s married with children and was in a hotel room with a same-sex escort and meth. This isn’t a case of someone drinking too much because he was bummed out about losing an election.

He’s been living a lie. Hopefully for his kids’ sake he starts to figure things out. Realistically that will take months to even start that sort of self-honesty.

[SharonClark]

14. You're making bold statements beyond what Gillum or the police are stating.

What's the source of your allegations?

[Pentatonic]

16. It's been widely reported

https://www.local10.com/news/local/2020/03/14/man-found-with-gillum-at-south-beach-hotel-room-is-openly-gay/