Former Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum | AP Photo An ‘inebriated’ Gillum found with suspected overdose victim

TALLAHASSEE — Andrew Gillum, a Florida Democrat who narrowly lost a bid for governor in 2018, was found “inebriated” and vomiting in a hotel room with another man apparently experiencing a drug overdose, according to a police report.

The Miami Beach Police Department responded to an emergency call from the hotel room early Friday morning. Police impounded several clear plastic bags of what appeared to be crystal meth.


First responders provided treatment to Travis Dyson, age 30, who later was hospitalized. He is conscious and in stable condition, according to the report filed Friday.

Aldo Mejias, who had rented the room, told police he arrived at the hotel Thursday shortly before midnight to find Gillum and Dyson “under the influence of an unknown substance,” according to the police report.

Mejias saw Gillum throwing up. Dyson was having difficulty breathing and also began vomiting, prompting Mejias to call for help.

Police said Gillum was unable to speak to them because of his “inebriated state,” according to the report. Gillum eventually left the hotel and returned to his residence.

Gillum said he had had too much to drink after a wedding.

“I was in Miami last night for a wedding celebration when first responders were called to assist one of my friends,” Gillum said in a written statement. “While I had too much to drink, I want to be clear that I have never used methamphetamines. I apologize to the people of Florida for the distraction this has caused our movement.”

"I’m thankful to the incredible Miami Beach EMS team for their efforts,” Gillum said. “I will spend the next few weeks with my family and appreciate privacy during this time."

Gillum, a former mayor of Tallahassee, scored an upset in the 2018 Democratic primary for governor only to narrowly lose to Republican Ron DeSantis in the swing state.

Since then, Gillum has been seen as a rising star for Democrats. He has been hired to be a commentator on CNN and has embarked on a campaign to register and engage voters ahead of the 2020 presidential election.

On Monday, Gillum participated in voting rallies with Florida State University and Florida A&M University, where he encouraged them to participate in the upcoming March 17 primary. He walked a few blocks with students to the early voting site located near the two campuses.

A federal grand jury in north Florida last year subpoenaed information related to Gillum’s gubernatorial campaign, his political committee and associated nonprofit groups. Gillum said this week thousands of documents have been turned over but that he remains unaware of what authorities are investigating.

Marc Caputo contributed to this report.