Andrew Gillum joins CNN as a commentator

Former Tallahassee mayor and the 2018 Democratic nominee to be Florida governor, Andrew Gillum, has signed on with one of President Donald Trump’s favorite media targets, CNN.

“Thrilled to be joining @CNN as a political commentator,” Gillum tweeted Tuesday morning.

Gillum burst onto the national stage last year when he defeated better known and better financed candidates for the Democratic nomination. A coalition of minorities, students, college-educated and urban voters flocked to the underdog candidate who then forced the first recount of a governor’s election.

Gov. Ron DeSantis prevailed with a 30,000 margin out of more than 8 million votes.

DeSantis was endorsed by Trump, who during the campaign waged a Twitter feud with Gillum, declaring Tallahassee a crime ridden city and its mayor a corrupt politician. Gillum fired back that Trump’s twitter trash talk revealed that Trump was “weak.”

Twitter war:

President tweets Andrew Gillum is a 'failed Socialist;' mayor says Trump talk not helpful

Trump knocks Andrew Gillum, Tallahassee; mayor responds 'don't talk trash about my city'

Investigating Trump's claim that Tallahassee has the 'worst statistics' | TLH Fact Check

Tallahassee-based political consultant Steve Vancore said CNN made a good hire.

"Even his harshest critics have conceded that he is a brilliant speaker and has an incredible ability to digest complex social ideals and effectively communicate them in made-for-TV sound bites," said Vancore.

The news comes days after the Florida Commission on Ethics determined there is probable cause that Gillum violated the state's ethics laws. He faces six counts related to soliciting and accepting gifts — including rental accommodations in Costa Rica, a boat ride to see the Statue of Liberty with undercover FBI agents and a lobbyist and tickets to see the Broadway musical "Hamilton" in 2016.

Gillum maintains he did nothing wrong and his attorney, Barry Richard, intends to challenge the decision.

Gillum after the election:

PROBABLE CAUSE: Ethics Commission says Andrew Gillum accepted gifts; lawyer says he'll fight

Timeline to trouble: How Andrew Gillum got mixed up in an FBI probe and ethics inquiry

Former Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum is a Harvard Fellow

'I think he’s the future': Despite loss in governor's race, Gillum still has political clout

Gillum will have his commentator debut Tuesday night at 9 on Cuomo Prime Time with another new hire, former Republican Ohio Gov. John Kasich.

The former chair of the House Ways and Means Committee finished his second term as governor this month and is considering a presidential run. He boycotted the 2016 GOP convention in Cleveland to protest Trump’s candidacy.

CNN has also signed former lawmakers Republican Mia Love and Democrat Luis Gutierrez.

Reporter James Call can be reached at jcall@tallahassee.com.