Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum is sending mixed messages about whether he’ll make a run for Congress. According to Gillum’s advisors, the mayor now says he’s weighing his options.
A new state congressional district map splits Leon County -- previously located entirely in Congressional District Two -- into Districts Two and Five. District Two is currently held by Democratic Congresswoman Gwen Graham, but it's been reconfigured and now favors Republicans. District Five has long been held by Democratic Congresswoman Corrine Brown, but its been redrawn to run from Tallahassee to Jacksonville. And that's created new opportunities for challengers.
Gillum emerged last week as a possible contender for District Five after media consultant Kevin Cate indicated Gillum had an interest in the job.
"People are reaching out to Mayor Gillum because Washington desperately needs the type of energy and focus he brings every day as Mayor, creating new jobs and opportunities to get ahead," Cate said in a statement last Friday. "He's listening and will make his decision on how he can best continue creating new jobs and opportunities, while also being a great husband and father."
But when asked directly whether he was considering a run, Gillum told WFSU, “I have no plans of running for Congress. I absolutely love my job as mayor. I love the community that my wife and I have adopted as our home.”
According to the Tallahassee Democrat, Gillum said Wednesday that he will "have a clear answer about the future following the holidays."
If the Mayor chooses to run, he may have to face former state Senator Al Lawson in a primary. Lawson has indicated he's also interested in running for Congressional District Five.
