Andrew Gillum, the former Democratic gubernatorial nominee in Florida, has been taken back into custody after testing positive for methamphetamine. This follows his arrest in Alabama on drug charges just one month prior. Gillum, 47, was booked into the Baldwin County jail on Thursday after a judge revoked his bond due to a missed drug test and subsequent positive result.
The positive test was part of a random drug screening program, which requires participants to report for testing based on a color code system. According to Baldwin County Assistant District Attorney John Oxford, Gillum failed to appear for a scheduled drug test after his assigned color was called and tested positive during a court appearance.
Gillum's political career has faced significant challenges since his narrow loss to Republican Ron DeSantis in the 2018 gubernatorial race. Following that election, he became involved in various personal scandals and legal issues, including a 2020 incident where he was found intoxicated in a hotel room. Although he entered rehabilitation for alcohol dependency, his legal troubles continued, including federal charges related to campaign finance, from which he was acquitted of lying to federal agents in May 2023.
Gillum's next court appearance regarding his pending drug case is scheduled for August 13. Democratic strategist Ameshia Cross commented on the situation, emphasizing the need for clinical support for Gillum, stating, "Addiction is an illness. He needs help. Not a podcast. Not a TV appearance. Clinical attention and support."