Andrew Gillum Chooses Former Opponent As Running Mate

TALLAHASSEE, FL — Democrat gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum chose a former political rival to be his running mate in the race to become Florida's next governor. Appearing on Facebook Live, Gillum chose Chris King as his pick for lieutenant governor. Gillum soundly defeated the businessman in last week''s primary election to become the state's Democratic nominee.

"This is not a political marriage. This is not a marriage of convenience," said King. "I developed a friendship with Andrew Gillum over 18 months as we were competing."

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The two men appeared with their wives by their sides at Thursday's social media event. "I was trying to beat him in running for governor, but in trying to beat him, he beat me pretty badly," acknowledged King.

"I came to care for him and I came to admire him, his gifts, his talents and most importantly his vision for the state of Florida — to lift up families all across this state who have not a champion like Mayor Gillum, who have not had someone who's spoken up to issues that the current leadership just doesn't care about, whether it's affordable housing, whether it's access to quality healthcare, whether it's the scourge of gun violence that Mayor Gillum is a champion in fighting, whether it's the criminal justice system that is not fair in the state of Florida. Mayor Gillum and I believe we can do so much better," King said.

(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)