Andrew Gillum in OnTheIssues interviews with 2018 candidates

On Abortion: Defunding Planned Parenthood jeopardizes women's health

A: Support--When Governor Rick Scott and the Republican legislature tried to defund Planned Parenthood, Andrew called them out for jeopardizing women's health with ideological games. As Governor, Andrew will stop the Legislature from using women's health as a political football. Andrew trusts women to make their own healthcare decisions with their doctor-- not politicians--and he will oppose any attempt to make it harder for women to access quality healthcare.

On Budget & Economy: Stimulus better than market-led recovery

A: Agree--Mayor Gillum supports the Obama Administration's actions to save our economy from the reckless Wall Street behavior that wrecked our economy.

On Civil Rights: Oppose discrimination based on gender identity

A: Despite the tremendous victory for equal rights that was achieved when the Supreme Court made same-sex marriage a constitutional right in the United States, there still remains much work ahead to advance equality for LGBT Floridians. In Florida, gay, lesbian, and bisexual citizens may not be protected from discrimination in public or in the workplace from one county to the next. Transgender Floridians may not have the right to use the restrooms that align with their gender identity depending on the community in which they find themselves. As Governor, Andrew will work to address these issues through statewide policies that ensure equal treatment and equal rights for all Floridians from every corner of our state.

On Civil Rights: Supports same-sex marriage

A: Strongly Support--Andrew has always been a staunch supporter of LGBT rights during his years as a public leader. As a City Commissioner, Gillum led the charge to expand domestic partner health benefits from City employees. As Mayor, when at least a dozen Florida counties were refusing to grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples in Florida, Gillum extended an invitation for couples to get married in Florida's Capital City.

On Crime: Stricter punishment doesn't reduce crime

A: Strongly Oppose

On Drugs: Marijuana isn't a gateway drug

A: Oppose--Mayor Gillum believes that we need to legalize marijuana and end the harsh penalties for low-level possession. He wants to invest that revenue in our public schools, students, and teachers, including a pay raise for all public school teachers and staff.

On Education: Opposes vouchers for school choice

A: Oppose

On Energy & Oil: Transition Florida to clean energy as rapidly as possible

A: Strongly Support--Andrew believes that the best way to address the impacts of climate change is to embrace a plan to transition Florida to clean energy as rapidly as possible. Andrew believes that climate change is a real and urgent threat and that politicians, like Donald Trump, who call it a "hoax," and Governor Rick Scott, who banned the words "climate change" and "global warming," are putting us and future generations of Floridians at risk. These politicians have failed take climate change action, even as Florida has the most property at-risk in the nation. Not only does lack of action threaten the future of the planet, it also ignores an enormous economic opportunity to make the U.S. the world's leader in clean energy and to put people to work at every rung of the income ladder.

On Environment: EPA has critical role in protecting us from toxic pollution

A: Strongly Oppose--Andrew is deeply concerned with the Republicans' assault on the EPA and its critical role of protecting our children and families from toxic pollution.

Q: How do you apply that to state issues instead of the federal EPA?

A: As Governor, Andrew will take on the challenge of rebuilding Florida into a more resilient state and protecting our natural resources that make Florida the nation's number one tourist destination. Andrew will make protecting the Everglades a priority, work to keep our water clean from toxic algae blooms, and fight to protect Florida's access to clean water sources.

On Foreign Policy: Support American Exceptionalism

A: Support

On Free Trade: Support free trade with restrictions

A: Support with Restrictions--Mayor Gillum supports trade policies that protect workers here at home and expand markets for Florida's products abroad. He believes in strict labor fairness practices so that workers are not being exploited.

On Government Reform: Make voter registration easier

A: Support--Andrew believes that we need to tear down the barriers that prevent citizens from exercising their right to vote.

On Gun Control: No right to guns for domestic abusers or mentally ill

A: Strongly Oppose--Andrew believes that those domestic abusers and those struggling with mental illness should not own guns.

On Health Care: Extend Medicaid to one million Floridians

As Governor, Andrew will work to expand Medicaid and strengthen the Affordable Care Act. Andrew has proposed passing a Florida law protecting people with pre-existing conditions from being denied coverage, being charged more for their care due to a pre-existing condition, or women being charged more than men. As Governor, Andrew will restore Floridians' healthcare security--the knowledge that if something horrible happens to a loved one that they'll be taken care of. If they were born with a genetic disorder or chronic illness, that they won't be denied coverage, or face the inhumane choice between bankruptcy or healthcare.

On Health Care: Expand ObamaCare; Medicare for Al

A: Strongly Support--As Governor, Andrew will work to expand Medicaid and strengthen the Affordable Care Act. Andrew believes that healthcare should be a fundamental right, not a privilege. Floridians struggle everyday to keep themselves and their families from going bankrupt due to the cost of healthcare. Andrew believes that Senator Sanders' Medicare for All plan will help lower costs and expand coverage to more Floridians.

On Homeland Security: Opposes expanding the military

A: Oppose

On Immigration: Pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens

A: Strongly Support--As Governor, Andrew will continue to fight mass deportation policies that threaten to split families and hurt Florida's economy.

On Jobs: Legally require hiring more women & minorities

A: Strongly Support

On Principles & Values: Keep God in the public sphere

A: Support

On Social Security: Fight any attempt to privatize Social Security

A: Strongly Oppose--Andrew will fight any attempt to privatize Social Security, which is a bedrock guarantee for millions of Florida seniors.

On Tax Reform: Economy should works for all, not just those at the top

A: Support--Andrew believes creating an economy that works for all Floridians, instead of just those at the top, should be an imperative. Creating an economy that works for all Floridians, instead of just those at the top, should be an imperative. Florida has one of the highest levels of income inequality in the country with the top 1% receiving over 30 times more than the bottom 99%. This inequality hurts our economic growth and stifles opportunities for Floridians to join the middle class and achieve the American Dream. Nearly half of Florida households struggle to make ends meet.

On War & Peace: America should be world's human rights champion

A: Oppose--Andrew believes America must play a pre-eminent role in the world by being a human rights champion. Under President Trump, we are failing that test.