TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Gubernatorial candidate and Tallahassee mayor Andrew Gillum has announced his pick for Lt. Governor.
Gillum has named former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris King as his pick for Lt. Governor. He and his wife made the announcement on Thursday.
“Chris has brought new and dynamic leadership to this state, and his innovative policy ideas and business acumen will help us move Florida forward,” Gillum said. “We’re going to build an economy that works for everyone, by training workers for good-paying jobs, expanding access to health care and ensuring every Floridian has a fair chance to succeed.”
The Gillums and the Kings came together on a Facebook live video to share their vision for the campaign. Despite running against each other on Aug. 28, Chris King says the two managed to form a close relationship over the last 18 months.
Now, the Gillums and the Kings will join forces and campaign on the same values.
In a news release, Gillum described King as a "progressive entrepreneur."
Gillum said that King founded a company that provides affordable housing to seniors and working families in Florida and across the southeastern United States while paying living wages. Those wages, Gillum said, start at $15 an hour and cover employees’ healthcare costs and pay annual bonuses to every worker.
Additionally, Gillum wrote, King’s "Elevation Scholars" program sends low-income Florida students at Title I high schools to some of America’s top colleges and universities.
