ORLANDO, Florida — Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis is campaigning to become Florida’s next governor.

In a notably contentious race, the former Congressman is running against Democratic candidate and Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum to take over Gov. Rick Scott’s seat.

DeSantis picked State Rep. Jeanette Nunez as his lieutenant governor running mate, and in the August GOP primary, he beat Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam.

DeSantis has also won over the endorsement early on from President Donald Trump.

Despite the famous endorsement, The race is proving to be a narrow one. An exclusive Spectrum News Decision 2018 poll showed that if an election were held now, the results would be too close to call.

Explaining why he should be Florida's next governor on Political Connections, DeSantis said, "I’m the leader that can protect Florida's future ... Our economy is on a roll. I want to protect that momentum and build upon that."

Gillum and DeSantis have agreed to at least two debates – the first on October 16, hosted by Spanish language network Telemundo in Orlando, and a second debate on October 24 in Broward County.


Watch Political Connections every Sunday at 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Spectrum News 13.