rights
Former Fla. gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum arrested on drug charges
By Joe Reberkenny at Washington Blade
· July 8, 2026
· 2 min read
Andrew Gillum, the former Democratic nominee for governor of Florida and former mayor of Tallahassee, was arrested on drug possession charges in Alabama last week. Police in Daphne, Ala., said they pulled Gillum over for erratic driving and found marijuana and methamphetamine in his vehicle. He was
Key takeaway Jail records show he was arrested on July 2 and released on July 3, the Associated Press reports.
Why this matters
Andrew Gillum's arrest on drug charges in Alabama marks a further decline for a politician who was once considered a rising star in national politics. As the first Black nominee of a major party for governor in Florida, Gillum's 2018 campaign drew significant attention and support from LGBTQ+ advocates after his loss and subsequent coming out as bisexual in 2020. His struggles with addiction, which he has publicly discussed, highlight the need for accessible and supportive resources for individuals struggling with substance use, particularly in the LGBTQ+ community. The National LGBTQ Task Force and organizations like the Trevor Project, which provides crisis support, are critical resources for those navigating these challenges. Gillum's case also underscores the varying legal protections and policies across states, with Alabama and Florida having distinct approaches to drug possession and addiction treatment. As the case unfolds, it will be important to watch how it intersects with national conversations around addiction, mental health, and LGBTQ+ rights.
About this story
Original reporting by Washington Blade . LGBTQ News 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 .
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Category: rights ·
Published: July 8, 2026 ·
Source: Washington Blade ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Andrew Gillum, the former Democratic nominee for governor of Florida and former mayor of Tallahassee, was arrested on drug possession charges in Alabama last week. Police in Daphne, Ala., said they pulled Gillum over for erratic driving and found marijuana and methamphetamine in his vehicle. He was
When was this published? This article was first published on July 8, 2026 by Washington Blade and curated for LGBTQ News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Joe Reberkenny at Washington Blade. To learn more about how LGBTQ News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more rights coverage from LGBTQ News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .