6 Key 2018 Midterm Governor Races to Watch
3. Florida
As Florida Gov. Rick Scott is finishing his second and final term, his attention has been turned toward unseating Democrat Bill Nelson in the U.S. Senate this November.
But left contesting for Scott's current job are former Republican Congressman Ron DeSantis and Democrat Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum.
According to Real Clear Politics, polling shows that race is leaning toward Gillum.
The RCP average of polls shows that Gillum has about 49 percent support compared to DeSantis' 43.2 percent. Should Gillum win, he will become the state's first black governor.
According to USA Today, Gillum is a "progressive in the mold of Bernie Sanders" in that he is calling for things such as Medicare for all, an increase to the state's minimum wage, an increase in corporate taxes, and marijuana legalization.
Gillum is also facing scrutiny as the Florida Commission on Ethics continues to investigate claims "accusing him of accepting gifts from city lobbyists," news station WCTV reports. On Friday, it was revealed that Gillum accepted campaign donations from an undercover FBI agent posing as a developer to investigate political corruption in Tallahassee.
By contrast, DeSantis is a Trump supporter and has the endorsement of the Christian conservative advocacy group Family Research Council, who is confident that DeSantis will "stand strong for faith, family, and freedom."
During his time in Congress, DeSantis sponsored the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act and the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, and favored ending taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood.
It was reported on Wednesday that Trump is expected to headline a "Make America Great Again" rally next week in Florida to support DeSantis and other Florida Republicans.
In 2016, 49 percent of Florida voters voted for Trump compared to the 47.82 percent of voters who backed Clinton.
