In a major upset, Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum was declared the winner of the Democratic nomination for Florida governor.
>> On WFTV.com: 2018 Florida primary election results
Gillum, who is considered progressive, goes on to face Republican U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump, in the November election.
If Gillum wins, he would become the first African-American governor in the state's history. According to CNN, he is Florida's first black gubernatorial nominee.
Political analysts had former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham as the frontrunner over Gillum and a crowded field of Democratic candidates in Tuesday's primary. During the campaign, Gillum spent only $6.5 million, compared with Graham, who spent $16 million, and other candidates Jeff Greene, who spent $38 million, and former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine, who spent about $29 million.
During his victory speech Tuesday night, Gillum said he wants to go across the state and help unite people.
“This is not my moment; this is our moment.” Gillum said.
In the speech, he mentioned possible plans for education, wage increases for workers, environmental protections, expanding Medicaid and criminal justice reform.
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who endorsed Gillum during the campaign, released a statement congratulating him on his win.
"No one person can take on the economic and political elites on their own," Sanders tweeted. "Tonight, Floridians joined Andrew in standing up and demanding change in their community. That's what the political revolution is all about and Andrew Gillum is helping to lead it."
On the other side of the political aisle, DeSantis gave a victory speech Tuesday night thanking Trump for his endorsement and praising federal policy areas.
“We have 4.1 percent GDP growth, we’ve got 20-year low unemployment, we have Gorsuch on the U.S. Supreme Court, and we’re going to add Brett Kavanaugh next," he said. "The Iran deal is dead, our embassy in Israel is now in Jerusalem where it belongs, we have our hostages back from North Korea, our taxes have been cut, and the red tape has been reduced. I’d say that’s pretty good work for a year and a half, so let’s keep it going."
DeSantis added that he wants to build on the work done by current Gov. Rick Scott. He said he wants to attract a wider variety of high-paying jobs, keep taxes low and maintain "reasonable" regulations.
He also spoke about wanting more vocational and technical training in high schools, better water quality, a prohibition on sanctuary cities in Florida and an end to judicial activism.
“I believe there’s no limit to what we can accomplish here, as long as you have the courage to lead," he said. "And I pledge to you, as governor, I will work my butt off to accomplish great things for this state."
Trump took to Twitter to congratulate DeSantis on his primary win.
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