Former Florida Gubernatorial Nominee Andrew Gillum Arrested in Daphne on Drug Charges

Daphne, AL (BuzzReport)— A one-time rising star in national Democratic politics is now facing serious criminal charges following a late-night traffic stop on Alabama’s Gulf Coast.

Former Florida gubernatorial nominee Andrew Gillum, 46, of Tallahassee, was arrested in Daphne after police say officers discovered suspected methamphetamine and marijuana during a traffic stop on the evening of July 2.

According to the Daphne Police Department, officers initiated the stop at approximately 10:45 p.m. on U.S. Highway 98 near North Main Street after observing a vehicle being driven erratically.

Investigators said the encounter quickly escalated when an officer reportedly noticed a glass pipe in plain view on the vehicle’s center console. The observation gave officers probable cause to search the vehicle.

During the search, police say they recovered several rolled marijuana cigarettes along with three packages containing a substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamine.

Gillum was subsequently charged with:

• Unlawful possession of a controlled substance, a Class D felony
• Second-degree possession of marijuana, a Class A misdemeanor

Following his arrest, Gillum was booked into the Daphne City Jail before being transferred to the Baldwin County Corrections Center.

Gillum became a nationally recognized political figure after narrowly losing Florida’s 2018 gubernatorial election. His campaign drew widespread attention and positioned him as one of the Democratic Party’s most prominent emerging leaders at the time.

The arrest marks another significant legal setback for the former candidate, whose political career has been overshadowed in recent years by a series of personal and legal controversies.

As with all criminal cases, the charges against Gillum are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

The BuzzReport will continue to follow this case and provide updates as additional information becomes available.