By: Alex Pappas – foxnews.com – August 28, 2018

President Trump’s favored candidate, GOP Rep. Ron DeSantis, defeated state Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam in Florida’s Republican gubernatorial primary on Tuesday after riding the wave of the president’s enthusiastic endorsement to victory.

Meanwhile, the Bernie Sanders-backed Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum pulled off a major upset in defeating a half a dozen rivals, including former Rep. Gwen Graham, in the Democratic primary.

DeSantis and Gillum will face each other in November’s general election. If he triumphs, Gillum would be the state’s first black governor.

During a celebration event in Orlando, DeSantis thanked the president for “viewing me as somebody who could be a great leader for Florida.”

“Our victory is a good victory, anyways,” DeSantis said, complimenting Putnam on a hard-fought race. “But man, to beat someone of his caliber is a big, big deal.”

The president repeatedly had implored voters to support DeSantis over Putnam. Trump offered his congratulations on Twitter.

Donald J. Trump✔
@realDonaldTrump
Such a fantastic win for Ron DeSantis and the people of the Great State of Florida. Ron will be a fantastic Governor. On to November!
7:32 PM – Aug 28, 2018

Appearing on the “Ingraham Angle” later, DeSantis downplayed the notion that his win was due to the president’s backing, and touted his record on combatting environmental problems, illegal immigration, and education reform.

“We’ve been talking about these key issues time and time again and we’re going to continue to do that and spread the message far and wide,” he said.

Andrew Gillum✔
@AndrewGillum
Tonight, we proved what’s possible when people come together & show up to build FL into a better state for all. I’m truly honored to represent people across the state as the Democratic nominee — and I promise to stand up for everyday Floridians and the issues that matter most.

Gillum, Tallahassee’s progressive mayor backed by the Democratic-socialist Sanders, shocked observers with his win, as Graham, the daughter of former Florida Governor and Sen. Bob Graham, led in pre-election polls.

“I’m truly honored to represent people across the state as the Democratic nominee — and I promise to stand up for everyday Floridians and the issues that matter most,” Gillum tweeted after his win.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the Democratic socialist star running for New York’s 14th district, praised Gillum for staking out liberal positions by supporting Medicare for all, legalizing marijuana and abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“The progressive movement is transforming the country – and he proved that again tonight,” Ocasio-Cortez tweeted.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez✔
@Ocasio2018
US House candidate, NY-14
Congratulations, @AndrewGillum!
The progressive movement is transforming the country – and he proved that again tonight.
Gillum ran on Medicare for All, Legalizing Marijuana, #AbolishICE & more.
Thank you, Florida voters!
On to November 💪🏽💜
(imbedded article on Vox)
8:39 PM – Aug 28, 2018

In the state’s closely-watched Senate contest, Florida Republican Gov. Rick Scott on Tuesday easily won the GOP nomination. He faced a challenge from perennial candidate Roque De La Fuente.

“Congratulations to Governor Rick Scott of Florida on his conclusive Republican Primary Win,” Trump, who encouraged Scott to run, tweeted. “He will be a great Senator!”

Donald J. Trump✔
@realDonaldTrump
Congratulations to Governor Rick Scott of Florida on his conclusive Republican Primary Win. He will be a great Senator!
7:48 PM – Aug 28, 2018

Scott, who is term-limited as governor, is set to face incumbent Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson in what surely will be one of the most closely watched Senate races in November. Nelson ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.

But much of the attention in the run-up to Tuesday’s vote had been on the contentious Republican gubernatorial primary between DeSantis and Putnam.

During a Fox News-sponsored debate in June, DeSantis played up Trump’s backing of his campaign, expressing doubt that Putnam adequately supported Trump. “I am proud to have the endorsement of President Trump in this race,” DeSantis said.

To see the remainder of this article, click read more.

Source: Trump-endorsed Ron DeSantis to face Bernie-backed Andrew Gillum in Florida governor’s race