Former congresswoman Gwen Graham announces run for Florida governor

Gwen Graham, a former North Florida congresswoman and daughter of former U.S. Sen. Bob Graham, officially announced her bid for governor on Tuesday, becoming the first major female candidate in a crowded field.

“I am so proud to announce I am running to serve as Florida's next governor,” she said.

Graham focused much of her speech on supporting public schools and criticized the state for grading public schools and focusing on standardized tests.

“As governor I will not just criticize this culture of teaching to the test: I will end high stakes testing.”

Graham’s announcement at Carol City park in Miami Gardens was no surprise because she has essentially acted like she was running for the 2018 race during the past year.

In April 2016, Graham announced she wouldn’t seek election to her seat in Congress which was redrawn to favor Republicans and was seriously considering a race for governor.

Republican Gov. Rick Scott is term limited, prompting many candidates to likely run from both major parties.

On the Democratic side, Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum and Orlando businessman Chris King are running and potential contenders including Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine and trial attorney John Morgan. On the Republican side, term-limited Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam announced Monday that he had filed his paperwork to run. Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran may also run.

Democrats are eager for a win in 2018 because Republicans hold all the statewide cabinet positions and control both chambers of the state Legislature. But Democrats have failed to produce candidates who excite voter-rich South Florida in non-presidential years.

Graham drew the attention of Democrats nationally since she defeated incumbent Republican Congressman Steve Southerland in the Panhandle-based district in 2014. Her supporters say a Democrat who is a centrist and can draw votes in a conservative area has a shot in the swing state of Florida.

But in a statewide Democratic primary, she will face heat from opponents for some right-leaning votes she took in favor of the Keystone pipeline, rolling back Wall Street regulations, and in support of tougher immigration restrictions for Syrian refugees.

Graham was born in Miami Lakes but moved to Tallahassee in 1978 when her father was elected governor.

This story was originally published May 2, 2017 at 10:49 AM with the headline "Former congresswoman Gwen Graham announces run for Florida governor."