DEMS/ELECTION/GOP/RACISM/TRUMP PEOPLE: “The Florida governor’s race is shaping up to be a ferocious showdown after Tuesday [8-28-18] night’s primary victories by Representative Ron DeSantis, the Republican endorsed by President Trump, and Mayor Andrew Gillum of Tallahassee, a progressive Democrat endorsed by Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont. The two hard-charging politicians, both 39, represent a rejection of centrist politics in the country’s largest swing state. On Wednesday, Mr. DeSantis drew accusations of using a racist dog whistle after saying in a Fox News interview that voters should not ‘monkey this up’ by electing Mr. Gillum, who, if he prevails, would be Florida’s first black governor. (Read more about that incident here.) A spokesman for Mr. DeSantis denied that the candidate’s comments had a racial undertone, while a spokesman for Mr. Gillum referred to remarks by a state party official, who called the comments ‘disgusting.’ Mr. DeSantis has been a regular on Fox News, often praising Mr. Trump. (In an article published on July 30, The Times counted at least 41 prime-time appearances by Mr. DeSantis since Inauguration Day.) After Mr. Trump praised Mr. DeSantis’s candidacy on Twitter in December, party officials, including Vice President Mike Pence, counseled against further intervening in the race. But Mr. Trump defied them, offering his ‘full endorsement’ in June.”
–Karen Zraick, “Get to Know Ron DeSantis, Republican Nominee for Florida Governor,” The New York Times online, August 29, 2018