TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Saturday, Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum addressed local supporters, kicking off his campaign for Florida Governor.
"He understands the necessities for job expansion, he understands the plight of poverty, he understands that we need to have a world class education system, and he's going to stop at nothing to bring that to the state of Florida," said attendee Sharon Lettman-Hicks.
The 37-year-old politician was the youngest ever city commissioner in Tallahassee, elected to the office while studying at Florida A&M University.
He was then elected mayor in 2014.
Saturday, among students from his Alma Mater and current constituents, was one of Gillum's long-time supporters, Pat Zick, one of his high school teachers.
"I was his English teacher when he was in 10th grade, and Andrew has always been a leader and a hard worker and I always admired him from that early age," said Zick. "I've watched him rise up and do all the things he did. What I've always seen about Andrew is that he has a heart and he'll always have Florida's best interests."
So far, Gillum will be challenged in the democratic primary by Harvard graduate and CEO Chris King.
King's company builds affordable housing for families and he says his goal as governor will be to "give a voice to the voiceless".
Mayor Gillum says he hopes to focus on issues like education and clean energy, during the race.
