Journalist April Ryan argued that progressive candidate Andrew Gillum’s upset win in Florida’s Democratic gubernatorial primary proves there is a « quiet movement » building on the left.…
Journalist April Ryan argued that progressive candidate Andrew Gillum’s upset win in Florida’s Democratic gubernatorial primary proves there is a « quiet movement » building on the left.
« As this president is trying to hold onto his base, there is this quiet movement of people going to the polls saying, ‘This is what we want,' » Ryan, a White House correspondent for American Urban Radio Networks and CNN political analyst, said on « CNN Tonight. »
« ‘We want change too,' » she continued. « Let’s see who wins out in this fight. »
Gillum, who was backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) in the Democratic primary, would be Florida’s first black governor. He will go up against staunch Trump ally Rep. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) in November after DeSantis easily won his primary on Tuesday.
Some have drawn parallels between Gillum’s stunning victory and the win earlier this summer by self-proclaimed democratic socialist Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, who ousted longtime Rep. Joseph Crowley (D) in New York.
Ryan also compared Gillum’s win to Georgia’s Democratic nominee for governor, Stacey Abrams, the first African-American woman to be nominated by a major party to run for governor.
« The South shall rise again, for some, » Ryan said. « It’s very interesting. For all intents and purposes, in this Trump era, this should not be. Two African-Americans in red states, the reddest of states, rising to the top, and could possibly wind up getting the governorship of these states. »
Abrams is going up against Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp (R) in November, another GOP candidate backed by President Trump .
Though Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez have had an uneven track record in their endorsements of progressive candidates, some have pointed to Gillum’s victory as proof their campaigning is working.
