Former Florida Democratic gubernatorial nominee Andrew Gillum was arrested on drug possession charges in Daphne, Alabama, on July 2, 2026. Police initiated a traffic stop due to Gillum's alleged erratic driving and subsequently discovered a glass pipe, marijuana cigarettes, and three packages of a substance that tested positive for methamphetamine in his vehicle.
Gillum, 46, was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana. He was booked into the Daphne City Jail and later released from the Baldwin County Correctional Facility on the same day of his arrest.
If convicted of the marijuana charge, Gillum could face up to one year in jail and a $6,000 fine. The possession of methamphetamine carries more significant penalties.
This arrest marks the latest in a series of controversies for Gillum, who was narrowly defeated by Republican Ron DeSantis in the 2018 Florida gubernatorial election. At the time, Gillum was mayor of Tallahassee and considered a rising figure in the Democratic Party.
In 2020, Gillum was found inebriated in a Miami Beach hotel with an individual who had reportedly overdosed. Following this incident, Gillum announced he was seeking treatment for alcohol abuse and depression, stating it was a "wake-up call" after falling into depression and alcohol abuse after his gubernatorial race. No charges were filed in connection with the Miami Beach incident.
Two years later, Gillum faced accusations of conspiring with his mentor, Sharon Lettman-Hicks, to misuse campaign funds for personal gain. He was acquitted of charges of lying to the FBI, and federal prosecutors later dropped the remaining charges after a mistrial was declared.
Gillum is also known for co-hosting the podcast "Native Land" with Angela Rye and Bakari Sellers and previously served as a CNN political commentator.