Progressive Andrew Gillum Wins Big In FL Upset
Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum shocks Democratic rivals, wins nomination for governor. Miami Herald: "Democrat Andrew Gillum rode a surge of liberal support from young people and African Americans to a stunning primary victory Tuesday and the historic opportunity to be the first black governor in Florida’s history. With 94 percent of the votes counted, Gillum had an unofficial 3 percentage point lead over his closest rival, former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham. Gillum overwhelmed Graham in Miami-Dade and Broward, the state’s two largest Democratic counties, by more than a 2-to-1 margin, in the highest turnout for a midterm primary election in Florida history. 'I am overwhelmed,' Gillum told a cheering crowd of supporters at a victory party at Hotel Duval in downtown Tallahassee. 'I want you to know that this thing is not about me. This race is about every single one of us. Those of us inside this room. Those outside of this room. Those who voted for me. Those who didn’t vote at all. And those who didn’t vote for me because they are Republicans. But I want to be their governor, too.' Running to the left of his rivals and despite being vastly outspent, the charismatic and proudly liberal Gillum built a devoted statewide following of progressives. He had a well-received message of social justice and lifting up the downtrodden and an appeal to Florida’s growing diversity."
Progressive Wins In AZ, OK, FL
Winners and losers in Tuesday's primaries. Vox: "Gillum came from more-or-less out of nowhere to massively over-perform his poll numbers and snag the nomination based on soaring turnout. Most Democratic professionals seemed to regard Gillum as clearly the less electable choice. Billionaire Democratic donor Tom Steyer is a Gillum fan, however, and between that and being the Sanders wing of the party’s best shot at electing a governor, he should be able to run a well-resourced campaign. And with Democrats nervous that young people and African Americans may not turn out in the midterms, running a young African-American candidate may not be the worst idea in the world. Oklahoma has long been one of the most conservative states in the nation, but its incumbent Republican governor is arguably the least popular governor in America thanks to years of budgetary crisis driven by tax cuts and mismanagement of unpredictable fossil fuel revenue. Consequently, Democrats managed to flip four state legislative seats in special elections last year and for the first time in years have hopes of winning a statewide race. Further bolstering those odds are the fact that they have a strong candidate for governor in the form of former Attorney General Drew Edmondson."
CA Ends Cash Bail
CA first state to end cash bail after 40-year fight. NPR: "California will become the first state in the nation to abolish bail for suspects awaiting trial under a sweeping reform bill signed by Gov. Jerry Brown on Tuesday. An overhaul of the state's bail system has been in the works for years, and became an inevitability earlier this year when a California appellate court declared the state's cash bail system unconstitutional. The new law goes into effect in October 2019. 'Today, California reforms its bail system so that rich and poor alike are treated fairly,' Brown said in a statement, moments after signing the California Money Bail Reform Act. The governor has waited nearly four decades to revamp the state's cash bail system. In his 1979 State of the State Address, Brown argued the existing process was biased, favoring the wealthy who can afford to pay for their freedom, and penalizing the poor, who often are forced to remain in custody."
TX Policeman Convicted Of Black Teen's Murder
Tears and gasps after ex-officer gets a rare murder verdict for teen's death. CNN: "After hours of deliberations, a jury had found Roy Oliver guilty of murder in last year's shooting death of the 15-year-old in a Dallas suburb. The sentencing phase started after the verdict, and will resume Wednesday morning. The rare guilty verdict in the trial of a police officer stunned relatives. Most police-involved shooting deaths, such as Philando Castile in Minnesota and Alton Sterling in Louisiana, have ended in acquittals or no charges despite national protests condemning police brutality. 'We don't want another parent to have to go through what this family has had to deal with,' Jordan's family attorney, Daryl Washington, said. "This case is not just about Jordan. It's about Tamir Rice, it's about Walter Scott, it's about Alton Sterling, it's about every African-American... who have been killed and who have not gotten justice.' Oliver, who is white, fired at a vehicle Jordan was in, striking the teen. A Dallas County jury convicted him of murder but found him not guilty of two lesser charges of aggravated assault and manslaughter."
