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After Recounts, Gillum Concedes Again

Florida Gov. candidates with their running mates [from left to right]: Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, a Democrat, chose Orlando Businessman and former rival Chris King, while Fla. Congressman Ron DeSantis, a Republican, chose state Rep. Jeanette Nunez.
Andrew Gillum's Twitter/Ron Desantis' Twitter

Florida Democrat Andrew Gillum has conceded the governor’s race for a second time following a state- mandated recount. 

Gillum ran a progressive campaign, touting a billion-dollar tax increase for education and changes to the state’s Stand Your Ground law. Yet he was dogged by an ongoing FBI probe into corruption. Gillum first conceded on Election Night, and again Saturday on facebook.

“We wanted to make sure every single vote—including those that were overvotes, undervotes—as long it was a legally cast vote, we wanted it to be counted," he said.

Republican Ron DeSantis consistently attacked Gillum on the probe as well as the city’s crime rate. 

Despite dozens of lawsuits, the recounts have changed little. Governor Rick Scott has managed to defeat incumbent U.S. Senator Bill Nelson and Republican Jimmy Patronis was elected as the state's new Chief Financial officer after being appointed to the job by Scott.

Florida Democrats were able to pick up a statewide seat in incoming Agricluture Commissioner Nikki Fried, a medical marijuana advocate.

Official returns are due Sunday from county canvassing boards, pending any last minute lawsuits, and the state canvassing commission meets Tuesday to certify results.

Gillum’s concession in the governor's race comes a day after a fellow high profile Georgia Democrat, Stacey Abrams, acknowledged Republican Brian Kemp won that state's governor's race.  

Follow @HatterLynn

Lynn Hatter is a Florida A&M University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Lynn has served as reporter/producer for WFSU since 2007 with education and health care issues as her key coverage areas.  She is an award-winning member of the Capital Press Corps and has participated in the NPR Kaiser Health News Reporting Partnership and NPR Education Initiative. 

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