The trouncing that Florida Democrats took during the November elections has many party members calling for new leadership. FAMU alumnus Andrew D. Gillum says he’s ready to take the baton.Gillum, 31, confirmed yesterday that he plans to enter the race for state party chairman. If he qualifies, he will face Rod Smith, a former state senator who served as Democratic Gubernatorial Nominee Alex Sink’s runningmate.
"This is about a fresh start for Florida Democrats and I think that requires fresh leadership," Gillum told the Jacksonville Times-Union.
In order to be eligible, Gillum must first be elected as a state committeeman or county chairman.
Gillum studied political science at FAMU and was the first student body president to sit on the university’s Board of Trustees. He has served on the Tallahassee City Commission since 2003. In 2004 and 2008, Gillum’s fellow commissioners elected him Mayor Pro Tem. Gillum also serves as Director of Youth Leadership Programs for People For the American Way Foundation (PFAWF).
According to Gillum’s Times-Union interview, he raised millions for PFAWF and the 2008 presidential campaign of then-U.S. Sen. Barack Obama.
The Florida Democrats lost every statewide race in November. The party has not won a gubernatorial election since 1994.