safety
Ex-Florida gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum arrested on drug possession charges
By Patrick Chalvire at WSVN 7 News
· July 7, 2026
· 3 min read
DAPHNE, Ala. (AP) — Former Florida gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum has been arrested on drug possession charges in Alabama after police say they pulled him over for erratic driving and found marijuana and meth in his vehicle. It’s the latest legal trouble for the ex-Tallahassee mayor, who narr
Key takeaway It’s the latest legal trouble for the ex-Tallahassee mayor, who narrowly lost to Republican Ron DeSantis for governor in 2018 and was once considered a rising star of the Democratic Party.
Why this matters in The Miami
The arrest of Andrew Gillum on drug possession charges in Alabama raises concerns for Miami residents who may have been affected by his past actions. In 2020, Gillum was found in a Miami Beach hotel room with a man who had apparently overdosed on drugs, an incident that led to his withdrawal from public life. This latest development may prompt some to question whether Gillum's struggles with substance abuse are ongoing. As a former gubernatorial candidate who was once considered a rising star in the Democratic Party, Gillum's troubles may also reflect on the community that supported him. Miami's residents, particularly those in neighborhoods like Miami Beach where Gillum was involved in the 2020 incident, may be watching this case closely to see how it unfolds and whether Gillum will face consequences for his actions. The city's history of substance abuse and overdose incidents makes this a sensitive issue for many locals.
About this story
Original reporting by WSVN 7 News . The Miami surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSVN 7 News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 7, 2026 ·
Source: WSVN 7 News ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? DAPHNE, Ala. (AP) — Former Florida gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum has been arrested on drug possession charges in Alabama after police say they pulled him over for erratic driving and found marijuana and meth in his vehicle. It’s the latest legal trouble for the ex-Tallahassee mayor, who narr
When was this published? This article was first published on July 7, 2026 by WSVN 7 News and curated for The Miami readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Patrick Chalvire at WSVN 7 News. To learn more about how The Miami selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Miami, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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