Progressive Upset Means A Sanders Vs. Trump Battle For Florida Governor [View all]

[oberliner]

Donald Trump vs. Bernie Sanders proxy battle

Both of the Florida primary wins show that the momentum in each party lies in the far right and the far left. DeSantis had been seen as a slight favorite, but no one had predicted such a blowout win over Putnam, who started the race as the clear frontrunner.

Gillum hadn't led in a single poll and was heavily outspent by several of his rivals, but was able to harness the progressive energy to beat Graham, a famed political scion in the state whose father had served as governor and senator. Sen. Bernie Sanders campaigned for Gillum and drew more than 1,000 people to a rally in Tampa earlier this month. Gillum campaigned on repealing the state's controversial Stand Your Ground law, Medicare for all and raising the minimum wage.

In a statement, Sanders said Gillum had "laid out a vision for a new course for the state of Florida and our country." Billionaire donor Tom Steyer also endorsed Gillum and spent on his behalf, and on Tuesday called his win "further proof that when Democrats put forward candidates that tell the truth and embrace a bold vision for the future, they win."

https://www.npr.org/2018/08/28/642798502/ron-desantis-rides-trump-coattails-to-victory-in-florida-primary-for-governor