Obituaries, op-eds and statements: Reactions to the passing of Larry Langford
Larry Langford, the former Birmingham mayor passed away in Birmingham’s Brookwood Princeton Hospital yesterday, January 8, 2019 after years battling chronic illness. The following are statements made in reaction to the news. The City of Birmingham posted a press release announcing his death and highlighting his career. According to an obituary provided by his family, Langford is survived by his wife, Melva Langford; son, Ronald Strothers; niece, Lena Powe McDonald; brother, Oliver Nance; sister-in-law, Casi Ferguson; grandchildren, Ronald Strothers III and Jared Daniel Strothers; and a host of other nieces, nephews, friends and supporters. Randall Woodfin, Birmingham Mayor (Via FaceBook) “It’s with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of Mayor Larry Langford. Our hearts go out to the Langford family during this time of loss. Mayor Langford had an unmatched love for his community – a love he expressed through his boldness and creativity. During all of our interactions, one thing was always clear – Mayor Langford was an unabashed advocate for the city he served. His fire for change and passion for people will be a lasting part of his legacy. Above all else, Mayor Langford loved this city. Please keep Mayor Langford’s loving wife Melva, family members and friends in your prayers during this difficult time. May he be remembered for his boundless ingenuity and as a fervent voice for the people.” Congresswoman Terri Sewell (2 separate FaceBook posts) “I am deeply saddened tonight with the news that we have lost Mayor Larry Langford. My prayers are with his wife, Melva, and their family as they honor his life and legacy in the days and weeks ahead.” “Here in Birmingham, Mayor Langford will be remembered for his dedication to serving the community he grew up in and for his fight to bring greater opportunities to people in Jefferson County. He was a man of faith, and he put his faith into action by campaigning to reduce violence and promote investments in education for our city’s young people. Mayor Langford will be deeply missed, and I was happy to see him return home to Magic City to be with family before he passed. My prayers are with his family.” Birmingham City Council (Via their FaceBook page) “The Birmingham City Council wishes to extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the family and friends in the loss of our former Mayor Larry Langford. We are deeply grateful for his countless contributions to the City, County and the State of Alabama as a whole. Our prayers are that God will comfort all of those that knew and loved him as a dynamic leader and force of change in our communities.” From his Obituary in the New York Times “With a showman’s touch and a penchant for defiance, Mr. Langford was a proudly unorthodox political figure in a state full of them. In and around Birmingham, where he was a public figure for more than four decades, he was regarded with an intriguing mix of admiration — for his creativity, zeal and unstinting confidence — and derision, which flowed from his reputation as a politician who dealt in himself and in spectacularly unrealistic ideas.” From a column by Al.Com’s Kyle Whitmire: “Larry Langford was someone you could never really know. He was funny, personable and the sort of politician that, if you let your guard down, would murder the truth right in front of you. I wrote about him for years, and I still wonder how much of what I reported was accurate”
Terri Sewell, Randall Woodfin weigh-in on Birmingham indictments surrounding EPA clean-up site
A Jefferson County grand jury on Tuesday indicted the Southeast regional administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and a former Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) Commissioner for violating state ethics laws in his work to stop the listing of North Birmingham’s Superfund site on the EPA’s National Priorities List (NPL). The North Birmingham 35th Avenue Superfund Site consists of contaminated soil from industrial pollution. Alabama 7th District U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell believes the indictment is “a step in the right direction.” “This week’s indictment is a step in the right direction for residents of North Birmingham who were the victim of corruption and hazardous pollution,” Sewell said in a statement. “We still have work to do seeking justice for families whose homes and communities have been contaminated… North Birmingham should be reconsidered for the National Priority List. No family should have to live with a contaminated backyard, and no community should be left to clean up decades of industrial waste. We must continue fighting for a full cleanup of North Birmingham until our whole community is made safe.” In August, Sewell led a tour of the Superfund site along with Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin and other city, state and neighborhood leaders. The site consists of contaminated soil from industrial pollution. Sewell, Woodfin, and Sen. Doug Jones have called on the EPA to consider North Birmingham for the NPL. According to EPA Region 4 Superfund Division Director Franklin Hill , the study site of roughly 2,000 properties revealed that 390 sites have undergone the contamination removal process; 127 sites are in need of treatment. “The corruption and the appearance of corruption has destroyed the public’s confidence in this process, which has hijacked efforts to clean up the North Birmingham community,” Woodfin added. “The people of North Birmingham deserve a transparent process in order to restore their community and the resources needed to make them and their neighborhoods whole.” History of the site According to EPA guidelines, a site may be included on the NPL if it scores 28.50 or greater on the agency’s Hazard Ranking System. The North Birmingham 35th Avenue Superfund Site scored a 50. On July 19, 2018, a federal jury convicted a coal executive and an attorney who represented the coal company in a criminal conspiracy to prevent the North Birmingham 35th Avenue Superfund Site from advancing to the NPL. On November 13, it was reported that EPA Southeastern regional office administrator Trey Glenn and a former business partner, Scott Phillips, were charged with multiple ethics violations in Birmingham in keeping the site off of the NPL.
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin endorses local candidates
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin has been busy the past few days making endorsements in local races ahead of Tuesday’s election. Woodfin first took to social media on Saturday where he endorsed Danny Carr for Jefferson County District Attorney. On Sunday he endorsed Felicia Stewart for State House District 46 as well as Mark Pettway for Jefferson County Sheriff. He continued his endorsements Monday morning adding Alli Summerford for State House District 48 to his endorsements list. All of the candidates Woodfin has endorsed are Democrats. Woodfin’s local endorsements thus far: Alli Summerford “Alli’s vision for Alabama is one that so many of us share: well-paying jobs, a 21st century education system, affordable healthcare, and an economy and state government that works for all of us, not just some of us. I am proud to endorse Alli for Alabama!,” Woodfin posted on Facebook. Mark Pettway “Mark Pettway’s focus on community policing and criminal justice reform will help to bring fresh ideas, transparency, and accountability to the Jefferson County Sheriff Office. I am proud to support Mark Pettway For Sheriff!” said Woodfin on Facebook Felicia Stewart “Felicia Stewart is a true public servant who expects more for our state and will work to solve real problems in public education, healthcare, clean water and other critical issues facing every day Alabamians. VOTE Felicia Stewart this Tuesday! #ExpectMore,” Woodfin posted on Facebook. Danny Carr Woodfin posted on Facebook, “I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Danny Carr for many years. You will be hard pressed to find a man that works as hard and cares about the people of our community as much as Danny Carr. His unwavering commitment to the people of Jefferson County over his 17 years of service has been highlighted through his work in the courtroom and his civic participation throughout our community. I am proud to endorse Danny Carr for Jefferson County DA.”
B’ham Mayor Randall Woodfin responds to clash with City Council over funds for homeless shelter
Two days after Tuesday’s Birmingham City Council meeting, Mayor Randall Woodfin is speaking out about his disappointment over the behavior exhibited at the meeting. On Tuesday, the Firehouse Shelter — a Birmingham, Ala.-based homeless shelter — was hoping to secure a $1 million capital investment, over five years, from the city to help build a new a shelter. But the city council voted against funding the new shelter. “The behavior exhibited during Tuesday’s city council meeting was beyond disappointing,” Woodfin posted on Facebook Thursday morning. “Playing politics with a serious issue like homelessness is unconscionable, especially as temperatures are quickly falling. Making false allegations about a group of people who are committed to serving the poor is shameless.” Many council members said they had received calls from shelter employees who accused the management of discrimination against some of the shelter’s clients, and a heated debate ensued. “Are you aware that we have been getting calls about the Firehouse Shelter?” Councilor Sheila Tyson asked Executive Director of the Firehouse Shelter, Anne Rygiel, on Tuesday. “Saying that y’all are racist and y’all are mistreating the black men. You find the whites places to stay, and you won’t find the blacks. You let the blacks sleep on the floor, and you give the whites cots… we have been getting calls. We would be crazy not to question to you.” “The discrimination that takes place in the Firehouse Shelter is something we have to consider,” Councilman Steven Hoyt added. Ultimately Councilors John Hilliard, Steven Hoyt, Lashunda Scales and Sheila Tyson voted against the measure. Meanwhile Councilors Valerie Abbott, Darrell O’Quinn, William Parker and Hunter Williams voted in support of it. Following the vote, the shelter has responded to the allegations against them, also calling the council meeting “disappointing.” “Today was a very disappointing day,” the shelter posted on Facebook. “We will publicly address each issue that came up, but we want to thank Mayor Woodfin, Councilors Abbott, O’Quinn, Parker, and Williams for being willing to invest in and support the homeless. Remember- your vote counts and your voices matter.” Firehouse posted several images to their Facebook pages disputing the allegations showing that over 60 percent of their clients are black. “The broader issue is about simple respect and civility,” Woodfin contnued. “We cannot solve real issues we face as a city if we cannot have respectful dialogue without bullying and divisiveness. The people demand more from their leadership during our interactions in council meetings.” “I challenge each member of council to join me in creating a more civil atmosphere in which we conduct the people’s business,” he concluded. Rygiel said the shelter will continue to fundraise to build the new shelter without the city’s support. Watch the Council debate below (shelter conversation starts at the 2:19 mark):
City of Birmingham to hold supply drive for Hurricane Florence relief
After the devastating damage that followed Hurricane Florence on the Carolina coast, the City of Birmingham is extending a helping hand by organizing a supply drive for its southern neighbors to support their relief efforts. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin made the announcement on Facebook Monday. The supply drive will take place Tuesday, October 2 through Friday, October 5 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at historic Boutwell Auditorium: 1930 Reverend Abraham Woods, Jr. Boulevard. Items to be collected daily: Canned goods (non-expired) Pet food Water Cleaning Supplies (brooms, mops, gloves, cleaners, disinfectants, trash bags, etc) Monetary donations NOTE: Clothing items will not be collected for the supply drive. Hands On Birmingham will assist in the volunteer effort. Christian Service Mission will assist in transporting items to various relief groups.
The Root 100 names Randall Woodfin one of 2018’s most influential African Americans
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin has been listed as one of the most influential African Americans in America by The Root 100. The annual list, ranks innovators, leaders, public figures and game changers ages 25 to 45 who are breaking down barriers and paving the way for the next generation. The Magic City mayor took home the no.32 spot for 2018. “This year’s list of honorees is a reminder of the beauty and brilliance of blackness, at a time when the political and cultural landscape has grown even more hostile to the idea of black achievement,” wrote The Root 100. The list described the 37-year old Woodfin is “a shining example of the new progressivism sweeping the South.” Here’s a little of what they had to say: On paper, Randall Woodfin wasn’t supposed to win Birmingham, Ala.’s 2017 mayoral election. He led a field of 12 candidates in contention against William Bell, a seven-year incumbent with more decades in politics than Woodfin had been alive. But the Morehouse grad and former school board president did win, with one of the earliest campaigns to embrace progressive ideas, which are quickly becoming the norm in political races across the country. And he did it by drawing in more than 11,000 voters who’d never cast a ballot in a municipal race before… According to the list Woodfin scored: Influence: 161.6 — overall score Reach: 5/10 — the people they touch through media and Twitter followers Substance: 8.5/10 — the impact of their work Twitter followers: 20,447 Woodfin tweeted he was honored to be included on the list. “I’m honored to be included among 99 other changemakers in #TheRoot100. But that story couldn’t have been written without you – the scores of voters, supporters, friends and allies who pushed for a better Birmingham. I’m proud to lead that charge and to always put people first,” tweeted Woodfin. I’m honored to be included among 99 other changemakers in #TheRoot100. But that story couldn’t have been written without you – the scores of voters, supporters, friends and allies who pushed for a better Birmingham. I’m proud to lead that charge and to always put people first. https://t.co/q5vimf8xzs — Randall Woodfin (@randallwoodfin) September 25, 2018
New band uniforms are more than a fashion statement: (Sorta) supporting Randall Woodfin’s latest proposal
It’s not a secret, I’m not the biggest Randall Woodfin fan. I could stand for him injecting more substance and less flash into his day-to-day activities: concentrating on say tackling crime rather than smiling for magazine covers, or working on bringing our ever fragmented city together instead of focusing on his political future and that of his party with the launching his own PAC. Those complaints aside, I’d be remiss not to acknowledge my support of one of his latest proposals: new band uniforms for Birmingham’s public high schools with a catch – of course. I wish rather than using tax payer money, which is better suited for essentials in education, healthcare and crime fighting, he’d have used his “rockstar” charisma to ask that the major corporations and foundations in the city and region donate the money for the uniforms. There’s no reason not to look towards companies to sponsor the marching bands of the seven Birmingham public high schools. If Woodfin can solicit money for his PAC, why not solicit money for band uniforms? If you’re not familiar with his proposal you can find more here, Woodfin announced on Monday he has asked the City Council for new band uniforms for all seven Birmingham public high schools. I have seen some publicly criticize this as a waste of money, I don’t think it’s a waste of money. I just believe different money should be spent. Uniforms and marching bands are a positive investment for our cities youth many of whom live in areas of the city where poverty and violence is the norm and discipline and team building would be a positive and welcome part of their lives. The benefits to students of marching band’s have been researched for years, formally and informally, and the results speak for themselves. Among the documented benefits to students who participate in high school marching bands are: health related, with one study showing that “marching band as physically demanding as competitive sports,” then there’s discipline, the ability to multi-task, confidence and teamwork which are among the 18 lessons that one self-described “Music mom” touts about having a child in the marching band. NPR did a story in 2014 documenting how the marching band is a lifeline to high school students living in poverty in New Orleans. The story explains, “Music isn’t just a part of the local culture; it’s a lifeline for kids trying to survive poverty, crime and urban neglect. Across New Orleans, every afternoon, marching bands save lives. They keep kids off the street, give them a reason to come to school, and even get them into college — if they nail their auditions come winter and spring.” A San Francisco Chronicle story highlights the difference between well-funded programs and those of public schools, particularly the schools where poverty is rampant among students. The story highlights the differences and similarities in programs with Homestead High Music Director John Burn saying “It gives the struggling kids a reason and motivation to show up to school when they might blow it off, and it gives the high-achieving kids, well, it separates them from other high-achieving kids.” Burn donated his high schools old uniforms to another public school in the area and has been a strong advocate of improving the gap and access to band resources regardless of school circumstances. The stories continue across the nation and across the spectrum of financial investment, but they all say the same thing: the benefits of investing in the marching band programs for high school students are worth the costs. While it would impossible to do a side-by-side of the price-tag of the uniforms vs. the results of the investments, anecdotally there’s no comparison. This is one of those programs that should easily be able to be sold in a business-friendly and philanthropic community such as Birmingham. The sentiment is a good one: let’s reach the youth of the city before it’s too late. Let’s send a message that regardless of where you in live in our community your neighbors care about your personal and academic success. Let’s give these students something to be proud of. I encourage the city to do more to facilitate the success, both academic and extra-curricular, of youth in our community, but I caution against going at it alone.
Randall Woodfin wants to buy band uniforms for all 7 Birmingham city high schools
Nearly two weeks after news broke that Mountain Brook High School band donated their old uniforms to Birmingham’s Woodlawn High School, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin took to social media to announce that now he wants to buy band uniforms for all seven Birmingham city high schools. “I 100 percent support Birmingham City Schools, particularly our bands. I was a drummer from fourth grade until eighth grade – I walked in their shoes and I understand their commitment to excellence,” Woodfin said in a post accompanying the Monday afternoon video. “Let’s continue to invest in our students.“ According to the video, Woodfin is making a recommendation to the Birmingham City Council that the city purchase “band uniforms on behalf of all seven high schools.” The schools include: Carver High School Huffman High School Jackson-Olin High School Parker High School Ramsay High School Wenonah High School Woodlawn High School Watch the video below:
Dear Mayor Randall Woodfin, Birmingham needs you to focus
“A deadly week, September homicides could foreshadow record year in Birmingham.” That is the headline that blared from Birmingham Watch I came across this morning. The article speaks to the fact in September alone, there have been six homicides in the Magic City. This puts us on-track to have our most violent year in 20 years. Think about that? Think about how far we’ve come in other areas of growth and development only to face the staggering reality of lives lost to violent crime. With the installation of Patrick Smith, Birmingham’s new police chief in early July, there was much hope that putting additional officers on the road and refocusing their efforts would mitigate some of this violence, but whatever changes have been made, they’ve not been enough. It leaves me questioning the focus of our leaders. Just yesterday, Alabama Today reported that Mayor Randall Woodfin is creating his own PAC. He, or one of his staff penned a passionate op-ed for AL.Com talking about the need for more progressive leaders. I would argue that rather than tell us about the greatness of additional leaders, Woodfin should focus on showing us what he can do because the facts don’t lie: whatever it is he’s doing isn’t working right now. Several months ago, Woodfin went to Netroots Nation a liberal political conference where he delivered a passionate keynote speech talking about the upcoming elections, he quoted Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and he talked about making history. He spoke of being proud to be from Birmingham, Ala. But how much longer can he be proud of leading a city that’s seeing violence take hold and end valuable and vulnerable lives? He spoke of putting people first. Rather than giving speeches about it maybe he should do more to do it. “We deserve better,” he said, why yes, yes we do. As I highlighted in a earlier blog post, the number of magazine covers and photo-ops the Mayor seems to be doing is impressive by any standard for an up and coming socialite only the problem is the mayor wasn’t elected to build his brand. He was elected to strengthen our city. It’s worth noting that since that piece, he’s of course had at least one more cover story and photo shoot appearing in Birmingham Magazine. Thanks to Birmingham Magazine for this fun interview. I’m honored to serve as my hometown’s first millennial mayor and I’m happy to share my story. And yes, I like my rap LOUD. Turn it up. #TuesdayThoughtshttps://t.co/aW490wKLS2 — Randall Woodfin (@randallwoodfin) July 10, 2018 He even stopped to weigh-in on the Florida gubernatorial race. Ironically, the candidate he endorsed was the former mayor of Tallahassee which led the state in crime during his years in office. We need our mayor to understand that right now his attention need to be singularly focused the city on Birmingham. Not on political campaigns around the state or nation. Not on raising his own public profile, but on fixing this crisis of crime. Birmingham is on-track for another deadly year and while it may seem to some that since it’s not in their neighborhood or their area of metro-Birmingham it isn’t an issue. The fact is every life loss and every act of violence affects each of us. How much longer can Birmingham remain attractive to out of state or even international businesses if we don’t see true change and meaningful commitments to do better? How can we attract and keep young professionals to our workforce, or corporations — if people are deterred and chased away by the reality of crime and threats to their personal safety? Press conferences with moving speeches and photo-ops aren’t going to stop the criminals. In what I hope is a message that can get through to the mayor: you are young, and there are many years ahead of you in your political career. The time for grand-standing will not pass you by if you focus today. The time for setting yourself up for future, higher office will be around for years to come. Today, the people of Birmingham need you to do better, to do more, to focus on making our city safer in actions not in words.
Randall Woodfin ready to play political king-maker, launches PAC for progressive Democrats
Not even a full year into his first term at City Hall and Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin is ready to play political king-maker. In an op-ed published Monday on AL.com, Woodfin announced the launch of his new Political Action Committee (PAC), which aims to “elect the next generation of progressive Democratic leadership in Alabama.” “NextGen Alabama seeks to modify this antiquated approach to Democratic campaigning by focusing on movement building and longevity. We must meet voters in their communities, on their doorsteps and in their churches. That is the only way Democrats will be able to flip conservative states in the South,” Woodfin wrote. Registered with the Secretary of State back in May, the PAC, Next Generation Alabama, or NextGen Alabama for short, hopes to essentially turn Alabama’s red tide (or crimson as it may be for some households), blue. “If you find yourself – like me – representing a blue island in a sea of red, you have an obligation to change the tide for the communities you serve,” explained Woodfin. Woodfin hopes to change the ground game for Alabama progressives seeking office, by prioritizing grassroots organizing and voter contact. To that end, the PAC will “only support progressive candidates that are unapologetic about engaging directly with our base and infrequent voters.” NextGen Alabama shares its name in part with a national Super PAC, NextGen America. Created by liberal, billionaire Tom Steyer, NextGen America is a large donor behind Woodfin’s good friend Andrew Gillum, the underdog candidate who surprisingly bested his Democratic opponents and won the Democratic gubernatorial nomination just last month. Whether or not Woodfin’s venture has any ties to Steyer remains to be seen.
Randall Woodfin responds to Bimingham weekend shootings: ‘we must double down’
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin released a statement on Monday regarding several acts of violence against teenagers in Birmingham over the Labor day weekend. “We as a city must wrap our arms around our children,” Woodfin said in the statement. “We must double down on conflict resolution efforts for our youth. If they won’t come to us, we must go to them. Relationships matter. We must all take responsibility for being the source of wisdom, guidance, restraint and compassion that our children need. Accountability is what will heal our city.” 16-year old William Edwards, a junior at Woodlawn High School, and captain of the school’s football team was shot and killed from outside his east Birmingham home on Saturday. According to AL.com, the Birmingham Police have no suspect information. On Sunday night, seven teenagers were shot and injured outside Workplay, of one of Birmingham’s many music venues. Lady Woo, a local radio host told WBRC that the scene outside the venue sounded like a “war zone,” and the she wasn’t shocked by the violence. “In a perfect world, you would love to be able to party and enjoy life with young people and show them how you can have a good time, and not really be violent, and not have any issues. But once we got out here, it brought everything to the forefront of what we face now. We face a lot of division, no self control, no respect, nothing. It was just like a war zone,” Woo continued. Read Woodfin’s full statement below: This past weekend, Birmingham was stricken by violence against young people. The death of William Edwards in North East Lake and the seven young people injured by violence at WorkPlay are a devastating blow to our community. Our law enforcement officers have been dedicated in their response, but as a city we must realize that this goes deeper than arrests. We as a city must wrap our arms around our children. We must double down on conflict resolution efforts for our youth. If they won’t come to us, we must go to them. Relationships matter. We must all take responsibility for being the source of wisdom, guidance, restraint and compassion that our children need. Accountability is what will heal our city. Lives were changed this past weekend, and those lives are too valuable – too precious – to be labeled as statistics. No longer can we grieve and then go about our days – not when the lives of our neighbors have been changed forever. Know that your mayor and law enforcement are working fervently for a safer Birmingham, but we cannot do it alone. I ask that you – parents, family members, mentors, community leaders and friends – connect with the young people in your lives. Listen to them. Help them. Let them know that their life matters. Only then can healing begin.
Birmingham’s own Randall Woodfin scores with underdog pick in Fla. gubernatorial primary
Earlier this week, Andrew Gillum, the former mayor of Tallahassee, Fla., pulled off quite the upset when he defeated former Congresswoman Gwen Graham, among others, and won the Democratic nomination for Governor. Birmingham’s very own Randall Woodfin weighed-in on the race, just a week before Election Day, where he gave Gillum his public endorsement. “Every now and then I get the opportunity to be vocal about the candidates I support who running for other offices across this nation. Andrew Gillum is one of those candidates,” Woodfin said in a video he posted on Twitter. Woodfin continued speaking directly to camera, saying, “As a candidate running for the Governor of Florida. Floridians, he is your choice. He cares about the same exact things you care about. The future and investment in the education of children. Equal pay and rights for women and others. Investing in infrastructure. The economic delveopment that really works for all of the residents of Florida. For all the concern we have. For all the passion and hope we have for the future of Florida, put it in Andrew Gillum’s hands to lead your state. You can count on Andrew to make a difference in you and your family’s life. Vote Andrew Gillum next Tuesday.” As Woodfin pointed out in his tweet, Gillum is a fellow mayor, but what he failed to mention is that Gillum is a Bernie Sanders — the liberal senator from Vermont — backed candidate. Just like he was. Interestingly, both young politicians — Woodfin, 37, and Gillum, 39 — were early Hillary Clinton supporters during her 2016 presidential campaign. Like Woodfin, Gillum also managed to pull off a surprise upset at the polls. Thanks to a strong grassroots efforts he bested four other Democratic opponents, all of whom outspent him handily. Woodfin went back to Twitter to send his public congratulations. “Huge congratulations to my friend, fellow mayor, and future GOVERNOR of the great state of Florida @AndrewGillum. Incredible victory brother! Bring it home on November 6th! #OurRevolution #FloridaPrimary,” Woodfin tweeted. Woodfin’s not the only one recognizing Gillum on Twitter. In the days since his victory, he’s also drawn attention from the Oval Office. “Not only did Congressman Ron DeSantis easily win the Republican Primary, but his opponent in November is his biggest dream….a failed Socialist Mayor named Andrew Gillum who has allowed crime & many other problems to flourish in his city. This is not what Florida wants or needs!” tweeted President Donald Trump. Not only did Congressman Ron DeSantis easily win the Republican Primary, but his opponent in November is his biggest dream….a failed Socialist Mayor named Andrew Gillum who has allowed crime & many other problems to flourish in his city. This is not what Florida wants or needs! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 29, 2018
