Andrew Gillum, Dem who nearly beat DeSantis in 2018 Florida governor race, arrested on drug charges

Andrew Gillum, the Democrat who narrowly lost to Republican Ron DeSantis in the 2018 Florida governor's race, has been arrested in Alabama on drug charges, according to a news report Tuesday. 

The arrest occurred Thursday night in Daphne, Alabama, in connection to possession of dangerous drugs, drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana, according to online jail records reviewed by Local 10 News, in Pembrooke, Florida.

DeSantis defeated Gillum 49.59% to 49.19% in a race so close it required a voting machine recount. Gillum was previously the mayor of Tallahasse, Florida – for roughly five years. 

Following the DeSantis loss, Gillum's political career collapsed after damaging incidents.

In 2022, Miami Beach police said they found him at a South Beach hotel in an “inebriated” state with two other men.

According to a police report, officers found three small clear bags inside the hotel room containing suspected crystal meth, although the men were never charged with a crime, Local 10 News also reports. 

Gillum said he was at a wedding the night before the incident and was drinking. But he denied taking any methamphetamines. 

In 2023, when he was acquitted of lying to the FBI in a corruption case that also involved illegal use of campaign contributions, also according to the news outlet.

He has not released a statement on last week's arrest.