Trump-endorsed Republican Ron DeSantis has won Florida’s governor race, defeating Democrat Andrew Gillum, the young mayor of Tallahassee who was vying to become the first black governor of the Sunshine State.
DeSantis is known for airing campaign ads featuring him and his daughter building a wall on the US-Mexico border and his son wearing a “Make America Great Again” onesie. He’s also faced questions about his associations with white nationalists.
Gillum, on the other hand, ran on a progressive platform that included Medicare-for-all and a $15 minimum wage, and was endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders. He defied the political odds in the primary, but it wasn’t enough for Democrats to take control of the governor’s mansion.
DeSantis’s win is a sign that Florida is turning a deeper shade of red. He’ll succeed Republican Gov. Rick Scott, who ran for Senate and squeaked out a win over Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson.