Florida Primary To Decide Candidates In Governor's Race

Florida's race for governor has attracted candidates hoping to replace Rick Scott. 

Florida's Tuesday primary election will determine who will be the Democratic and Republican contenders.

Democrats are looking to reverse a negative trend in Florida's gubernatorial election, marked by the fact that the last Democrat to win was Lawton Chiles in 1994.

On the Republican side, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam faces U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis in a race where President Donald Trump has taken DeSantis' side.

Putnam was considered a shoo-in for the Republican nomination. Then in December, Trump tweeted out his support for DeSantis, who wasn't even in the race at the time. DeSantis announced his candidacy in January.

Meanwhile, Florida's Democratic primary is the most crowded since 1978. Former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham is on the ballot this year and has been polling favorably leading up to the primary.

The Democratic ballot is also one of the most diverse Florida has seen. Of the five major candidates, only Orlando-businessman Chris King is a white, Christian man.

Graham could become Florida's first female governor; Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum could become the state's first black governor; and either former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine or billionaire Jeff Greene could be the state's second Jewish governor.


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