2018 Florida Governor Voters Guide

Ron DeSantis (R) vs Andrew Gillum (D)

Governor | Election | Nov 6, 2018

The Candidates

Ron DeSantis

Ron DeSantis

Republican

Andrew Gillum

Andrew Gillum

Democrat

The Issues

Abortion

Mostly ban or mostly legal?

DeSantis

Ban. Pledges to sign legislation banning abortions after fetal heartbeat detected (roughly 6 weeks) & to appoint constitutionalist justices to FL Supreme Court who will “protect & defend life.”

Gillum

Legal. Abortion is a woman’s unrestricted right and decision should be made by women & their doctors – not by politicians. Opposes making healthcare harder for women to access.

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Contraception

Allow employers to withhold contraceptive coverage from employees if disagree with it morally?

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Criminal Justice

Support Amendment #4 – a Florida initiative to restore voting rights to 1.6 million former felons, excluding murderers & sex offenders?

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Courts

Support President Trump’s Supreme Court nomination of Brett Kavanaugh? Position on 3 pending openings for FL Supreme Court Justices?

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Economy

Support Trump’s imposition of tariffs on Chinese steel and other products?

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Education

Increase funding for K-12 education?

DeSantis

No statements found on funding, but prefers setting policy at local level.

Gillum

Yes. Proposes a $1 billion “Fair Share” investment in public schools covered by increasing state’s corporate tax rate & legalizing & taxing marijuana.

Support expansion of charter schools or help parents send their children to private schools with public money?

Increase state funding for higher education?

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Environment

How would you address Florida’s red tide crisis, caused by nutrient-laden, polluted freshwater released from Lake Okeechobee & linked to Florida’s sugar industry?

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Health Care

Support or Repeal ACA, aka Obamacare? Accept ACA’s Medicaid expansion to subsidize low-income participants?

Let Planned Parenthood receive public funds for non-abortion healthcare?

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Immigration

Support path to citizenship for America’s 11 million illegal immigrants, including “DACA” recipients or “Dreamers,” who grew up in the US after being brought here as children?

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Marijuana

Legalize or decriminalize marijuana?

DeSantis

No. Opposes recreational use. Will implement will of the voters on medical.

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Minimum Wage

Increase from $8.25/hour?

DeSantis

No public statements found.

Gillum

Yes. Supports state $15 minimum wage.

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Net Neutrality

Require internet providers to provide equal access to all users?

DeSantis

No. Obama-era FCC requirement for net neutrality was a “massive power grab.”

Gillum

Yes. FCC decision to dismantle was attack on FL communities & residents.

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President Trump

Support for policies of President Trump?

DeSantis

Endorsed by Trump in primary. Voted 94% for his Congressional initiatives.

Gillum

Outspoken opponent of Trump.

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Renewable Energy

Government support for renewable energy?

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Other candidates for governor include Phil Anderson (L), Arnie Enz (Wisconsin Party), Maggie Turnbull (I), & Michael White (G). Due to limited space, we can only include responses of candidates polling 15%, but encourage you to check out their websites.

guides.vote is a nonpartisan effort to show where candidates stand, with links to credible sources. We do not support or oppose any political party or candidate for office. Vote411.org offers guides to local races.

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Ron DeSantis

republican Party

Candidate Image

Andrew Gillum

democratic Party

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Ron DeSantis

republican

Andrew Gillum

democratic

See guides.vote for online guides with links & sources https://rondesantis.com/ https://andrewgillum.com/
Abortion

Mostly ban or mostly legal?

Ban. Pledges to sign legislation banning abortions after fetal heartbeat detected (roughly 6 weeks) & to appoint constitutionalist justices to FL Supreme Court who will “protect & defend life.”Legal. Abortion is a woman’s unrestricted right and decision should be made by women & their doctors – not by politicians. Opposes making healthcare harder for women to access.
Climate Change

Consider climate change a serious threat?

Mixed. “I don’t know if it’s because of my activity, your activity, but…we’ve got to deal with it.” Opposed resolution saying greenhouse gases contributed to climate change.Climate change is a real & urgent threat. Transition Florida to clean energy. “We’re going to put science first & work together to not only save our planet but create clean energy jobs along the way.”
Contraception

Allow employers to withhold contraceptive coverage from employees if disagree with it morally?

Yes. Employers should not be required to “pay for abortifacients in violation of their faith.”No. Proposes a law to protect women’s access to no-cost contraceptive care under Obamacare.
Criminal Justice

Support Amendment #4 – a Florida initiative to restore voting rights to 1.6 million former felons, excluding murderers & sex offenders?

No. Opposes amendment.Yes. “Floridians who have paid their debts deserve a second chance & should have a voice in our state’s future. Our current system is a relic of Jim Crow.”
Courts

Support President Trump’s Supreme Court nomination of Brett Kavanaugh? Position on 3 pending openings for FL Supreme Court Justices?

Yes. Hopes he’ll be “a fearless defender of the Constitution in the mold of Clarence Thomas.” If elected will appoint similar Florida Supreme Court Justices.No. “Will push the Supreme Court into the world of ultra-conservatism.” Would appoint Florida Justices who’d heed the voices of ordinary citizens.
Economy

Support Trump’s imposition of tariffs on Chinese steel and other products?

Yes. Trump is a master negotiator trying to get concessions.No. “He's threatening Florida's workers, farmers, & companies."
Education

Increase funding for K-12 education?

No statements found on funding, but prefers setting policy at local level.Yes. Proposes a $1 billion “Fair Share” investment in public schools covered by increasing state’s corporate tax rate & legalizing & taxing marijuana.
Environment

How would you address Florida’s red tide crisis, caused by nutrient-laden, polluted freshwater released from Lake Okeechobee & linked to Florida’s sugar industry?

Clean the water; build reservoir to redirect the flow south; seek federal funding to help. Has also criticized sugar industry and open to more regulation of development that affects runoff.Reverse Rick Scott environmental policies that eased pollution standards; redirect freshwater flow; eliminate political influence of sugar industry; work with surrounding communities to deal with potential  job loss.
Gay Rights

Support gay marriage?

No. Cosponsored bill to protect individuals for faith-based noncooperation with gay marriage.Yes. While Tallahassee mayor, invited same-sex couples to get married there when refused in other FL counties.
Gun Control

Support more restrictive gun control legislation? Restrict semi-automatic weapons?

No. Solution to gun violence is “’identifying the problem people’ rather than enforcing ‘blanket bans on the rights of law-abiding citizens.’” Supports allowing Floridians with conceal carry permits to carry openly on campuses.Yes. Called for additional restrictions after Parkland, like universal background checks & bans on assault weapons & high capacity magazines. Sued by NRA over prohibiting firing weapons in public parks.
Health Care

Support or Repeal ACA, aka Obamacare? Accept ACA's Medicaid expansion to subsidize low-income participants?

Voted to repeal ACA. No FL Medicaid expansion. Says health care isn’t a right. The right is to pursue the type of healthcare you want. Obamacare infringes on that.Support & strengthen ACA, guarantee care for pre-existing conditions, expand Medicaid in Florida. Work toward “Medicare for all.”
Immigration

Support path to citizenship for America’s 11 million illegal immigrants, including "DACA" recipients or "Dreamers," who grew up in the US after being brought here as children?

No. Considers DACA unconstitutional. Opposes any path to citizenship.  DACA “amnesty” would further incentivize illegal immigration & chain migration. Fire officials who abet sanctuary cities.Yes. Can protect national security & “have a secure border without criminalizing” undocumented people. Let them get alternative ID drivers’ licenses. Continue in-state tuition.
Marijuana

Legalize or decriminalize marijuana?

No. Opposes recreational use. Will implement will of the voters on medical.Yes. “Legalize it. Tax it. Use the revenues to fix Florida’s public schools.”
Minimum Wage

Increase from $8.25/hour?

No public statements found.Yes. Supports state $15 minimum wage.
Net Neutrality

Require internet providers to provide equal access to all users?

No. Obama-era FCC requirement for net neutrality was a “massive power grab.”Yes. FCC decision to dismantle was attack on FL communities & residents.
President Trump

Support for policies of President Trump?

Endorsed by Trump in primary. Voted 94% for his Congressional initiatives.Outspoken opponent of Trump.
Renewable Energy

Government support for renewable energy?

No. Opposed continued wind energy subsidy, calling it “anti-competitive & economically harmful.”Yes. “Transition Florida to clean energy as rapidly as possible.”  Supported renewables as Tallahassee mayor.
Taxes

Support President Trump’s tax cuts?

Yes. “The reforms will better enable American companies to compete with foreign businesses & will help stem the tide of companies & jobs going overseas.”No. Puts “billions of dollars in the coffers of our richest corporations, money that would otherwise protect Social Security & Medicare, & pay for roads & bridges.”

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