THE POLITICIAN | Andrew Gillum

While most students were thinking about exams and papers, Andrew Gillum was thinking about the next stage of his life. So, at age 23, while still a senior at Florida A&M University, he became the youngest person ever elected to the Tallahassee City Commission in 2003.

Politics wasn’t Andrew Gillum’s first career choice; when he was a kid, he wanted to be a pediatrician. After realizing math and science weren’t his forte, he set his sights on becoming a lawyer.

So, why politics?

“I’ve always been involved,” the 27-year-old Gillum said, “from student government in middle school, high school, coming into Florida A&M University and being involved in student government. But little did I know that those experiences were really preparing me for something much bigger.”

Gillum served as FAMU’s Student Government Association president in 2001-2002, advocating for many issues – including affirmative action,

tuition and housing ordinances – that affected his fellow students.

The transition into city government was natural; he felt that he could deal with the many issues that affect our community.

“That was really my motivation behind running for office . . . (the) opportunity to talk about some things that I thought (were) important,” he said.

Those include issues that concern young professionals, such as jobs and housing, as well as finding ways to get people to vote.

Gillum’s abilities have been recognized both locally and nationally. He was elected to another four-year term in 2004 and was featured in Ebony magazine as one of “The Fast Track 30 Leaders Who Are Under 30.” He also serves on the board of directors of the Black Youth Vote Coalition and is a member of the NAACP.

One of seven children, Gillum credits his large family for his drive and motivation.

“You have to fight for what you want,” he said. “No one’s rolling over, no one’s giving anything to you; the supply is short, the demand is great, and you just have to carve out your path.”

For now, Gillum’s outlook on public service is that “if there’s a void and you feel that you have the skills and ability to fill it, then you step up to the plate.” But he adds that he won’t be doing this forever – his next goal is to pursue his dream of becoming a lawyer by attending law school. – Erica Bailey