Andrew Gillum, the former Democratic nominee for governor of Florida, is facing another legal challenge after being arrested in Alabama on drug-related charges, according to police records.
Gillum, 46, was taken into custody Thursday night in Daphne, Alabama, and booked on charges of possession of dangerous drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of marijuana.
He was later released from custody.
The arrest reportedly followed a traffic stop on U.S. Highway 98 after officers observed a vehicle being driven erratically.
Police said they identified Gillum as the driver and noticed a glass pipe inside the vehicle, which led to a search.
During the search, authorities said they found several marijuana cigarettes and three packages containing a substance that later tested positive for methamphetamine.
The Daphne Police Department has not released additional details about the circumstances surrounding the arrest, according to NBC Miami.
The arrest brings renewed attention to Gillum’s legal history following his 2018 gubernatorial campaign, when he gained national attention after narrowly losing to Republican Ron DeSantis by fewer than 34,000 votes after a statewide recount.
At the time, Gillum was considered one of the Democratic Party’s most recognizable young leaders.
His campaign energized progressive voters and made him the first black nominee for governor in Florida history. Before running statewide, Gillum served as mayor of Tallahassee from 2014 to 2018, according to Trending Politics.
After his narrow defeat, however, Gillum’s public career became increasingly dominated by legal issues and personal controversies rather than political advancement.
His latest arrest adds to a series of incidents that have kept the former candidate in headlines.
In 2020, Gillum was found inside a room at the Mondrian South Beach Hotel in Miami after police responded to a report involving a possible overdose.
Officers said they discovered suspected methamphetamine inside the room, along with prescription medication bottles.
Gillum was not charged in connection with the incident because prosecutors said there was not enough evidence linking him directly to the drugs, according to Local 10.
Following the incident, Gillum announced he would seek treatment and take time away from public life.
The former mayor later faced federal charges connected to allegations involving campaign finances and his political operation.
In 2023, Gillum was acquitted of a charge alleging he lied to the FBI.
A federal jury did not reach a verdict on other charges involving allegations that campaign funds were improperly handled, and prosecutors later dismissed the remaining counts.
Gillum’s political rise had once positioned him as a potential national figure.
His 2018 campaign attracted attention beyond Florida, with many Democrats viewing him as part of a new generation of leaders who could reshape the party’s future.
Instead, his career has been marked by repeated legal battles and public controversies. The Alabama arrest now creates another obstacle for Gillum as he faces a new criminal case.
The possession of dangerous drugs charge is classified as a felony in Alabama and could carry a potential prison sentence if Gillum is convicted.
The marijuana possession and drug paraphernalia charges are misdemeanors under state law, according to Florida Politics.
Gillum has not publicly commented on the latest allegations. Authorities have not announced additional charges, and the investigation remains ongoing.
The latest case adds another legal matter for Gillum, who has not announced a public response to the allegations. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the arrest.
