Andrew Gillum Biography – Andrew Gillum was born on July 26, 1979. He is an American politician. He is a former Mayor of Tallahassee, Florida.
Gillum served as mayor from 2014 to 2018. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He became well known for his progressive political views.
In 2018, he became the first African American to win the Democratic Party’s nomination for Governor of Florida.
Although he narrowly lost the general election, his campaign became an important moment in Florida’s political history.
Andrew Gillum Biography
Andrew Gillum was born on July 26, 1979. He is a former American politician. He is a member of the Democratic Party.
Gillum served as the 126th Mayor of Tallahassee, Florida, from 2014 to 2018. Before becoming mayor, he served as a Tallahassee City Commissioner from 2003 to 2014.
In 2018, he was the Democratic candidate for the Florida governor’s election. He narrowly lost the election to Ron DeSantis.
The election was decided by about 34,000 votes, making it one of the closest governor races in modern U.S. history.
In 2022, Gillum faced federal charges related to his 2018 campaign. A jury found him not guilty of making false statements.
The jury could not reach a decision on the other charges. In May 2023, federal prosecutors dismissed the remaining charges against him.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Andrew Demese Gillum |
| Date of Birth | July 26, 1979 |
| Age | 47 years (2026) |
| Birthplace | Miami, Florida, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Politician |
| Political Party | Democratic Party |
| Famous For | Former Mayor of Tallahassee and 2018 Florida Governor candidate |
| Mayor of Tallahassee | 2014–2018 |
Andrew Gillum Family
Andrew Gillum has been married to Rashada Jai Howard since May 2009. His wife is also known as R. Jai Gillum.
The couple met while attending Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU). They have three children together.
Their children are Jackson, Caroline, and Davis Allen Gillum. Jackson and Caroline are twins. Andrew has often said that his family has supported him throughout his personal and political journey.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Wife | Rashada Jai Howard (R. Jai Gillum) |
| Marriage Date | May 24, 2009 |
| Children | Three |
| Children’s Names | Jackson, Caroline, and Davis Allen Gillum |
| Twins | Jackson and Caroline |
| Family Support | Has often credited his family for supporting his political and personal journey |
Andrew Gillum Career
Andrew Gillum began his political career in 2003. He was 23 years old when he was elected to the Tallahassee City Commission.
At that time, he was a political science student at Florida A&M University (FAMU). He became the youngest person ever elected to the City Commission.
In 2004, he won a full four-year term with 72% of the vote. He was re-elected in 2008 and again in 2012. From 2004 to 2005, he served as Mayor Pro Tem of Tallahassee.
He also served as the chairperson of the Capital Region Transportation Planning Agency.
In addition, Gillum worked as the lead commissioner for the Long Range Community Based Target Issue Committee.
His early leadership roles helped him build a strong political career in Florida.
Andrew Gillum Net Worth
Andrew Gillum’s estimated net worth was about $334,200 during his 2018 campaign for Florida governor. His financial disclosure listed a home valued at about $462,000.
He also reported a 401(k) retirement account worth about $79,992. In addition, he had a deferred compensation account valued at about $81,989.
Most of his reported wealth came from his home and retirement savings. His financial information was made public as part of his campaign disclosure documents.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Estimated Net Worth (2018) | About $334,200 |
| Home Value | About $462,000 |
| 401(k) Retirement Account | About $79,992 |
| Deferred Compensation | About $81,989 |
| Main Assets | Home and retirement savings |
Andrew Gillum Early Life
Andrew Gillum was born in Miami, Florida. He grew up in Gainesville, Florida. He is the fifth of seven children.
His father, Charles Gillum, worked in construction. His mother, Frances Gillum, was a school bus driver. Andrew graduated from Gainesville High School in 1998.
The Gainesville Sun recognized him as one of the city’s “Persons of the Year.” After high school, he attended Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) in Tallahassee.
He served as president of the Student Government Association from 2001 to 2002. He also became the first student member of the FAMU Board of Trustees.
In 2003, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation recognized him as an emerging leader. He also served on the Black Youth Vote Coalition.
Andrew was elected to the Tallahassee City Commission before finishing college. He graduated from FAMU in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in political science.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Birthplace | Miami, Florida |
| Raised In | Gainesville, Florida |
| Parents | Charles Gillum and Frances Gillum |
| Siblings | Fifth of seven children |
| High School | Gainesville High School |
| University | Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) |
| Degree | Bachelor’s in Political Science (2003) |
| Student Leadership | President of the Student Government Association |
Andrew Gillum Drug Charges
On July 2, 2026, Andrew Gillum was arrested in Daphne, Alabama.
Police charged him with possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia after a traffic stop.
He was booked into jail and released the following day. As of the latest reports, the case is still pending, and the charges have not been resolved in court.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Arrest Date | July 2, 2026 |
| Location | Daphne, Alabama |
| Charges | Possession of a controlled substance, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia |
| Jail Status | Released the following day |
| Case Status | Pending (as of 2026) |
Andrew Gillum Personal Life
Andrew Gillum married Rashada Jai Howard on May 24, 2009. The couple met while studying at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU).
They have three children together. In 2020, Gillum faced personal challenges after an incident at a hotel in Miami Beach.
After the incident, he said he was struggling with alcohol addiction and depression. He entered a rehabilitation program to receive treatment.
Gillum also announced that he was stepping away from public life for some time. On September 14, 2020, he publicly shared that he is bisexual during an interview on The Tamron Hall Show.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Spouse | Rashada Jai Howard |
| Children | Three |
| Public Announcement | Came out as bisexual in 2020 |
| Health | Sought treatment for alcohol addiction and depression in 2020 |
| Education | Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) |
Andrew Gillum Achievements
Andrew Gillum has received many awards and honors.
In 2001, he was recognized as the top student leader in the United States by the National Center for Policy Alternatives.
In 2004, Ebony magazine named him one of the “Fast Track 30 Leaders Who Are 30 and Under.” In 2010, Essence magazine recognized him as an Emerging Leader.
In 2012, Florida A&M University (FAMU) honored him as an Outstanding Alumnus during its 125th anniversary celebration.
The same year, The Huffington Post included him among the “50 Young Progressive Activists Who Are Changing America.”
In 2014, The Washington Post political blog The Fix named him one of its 40 Under 40 leaders. These honors recognize his leadership, public service and contributions to politics.
| Achievement | Details |
|---|---|
| National Student Leader | Recognized in 2001 |
| Ebony Magazine | Fast Track 30 Leaders Under 30 (2004) |
| Essence Magazine | Emerging Leader (2010) |
| FAMU Honor | Outstanding Alumnus (2012) |
| Huffington Post | 50 Young Progressive Activists (2012) |
| The Washington Post | 40 Under 40 Leaders (2014) |
| Historic Achievement | First African American Democratic nominee for Governor of Florida (2018) |
FAQ – Andrew Gillum Biography
1. Who is Andrew Gillum?
Andrew Gillum is an American politician and former Mayor of Tallahassee. He is a member of the Democratic Party.
2. Why is Andrew Gillum famous?
He became the 1st African American to win the Democratic nomination for Governor of Florida in year 2018. His campaign gain attention at national level.
3. Who is Andrew Gillum wife?
Andrew Gillum is married to Rashada Jai Howard. They met at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and have three children.
4. What happened to Andrew Gillum legal case?
Gillum was found not guilty on one federal charge in 2022, and the remaining federal charges were dismissed in 2023. A separate 2026 drug-related case is still pending.
5. What is Andrew Gillum famous for?
He become famous for serving as Mayor of Tallahassee. He is also famous for his 2018 Florida governor campaign in state politics.
More Information –
Instagram – Andrew Gillum Biography
Read Also – Connor Murphy Biography – Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth & NHL Career
