The age of baking ambitious caucasian men in political incubators until their hair turns white enough to make them electable statewide… well, that age is over.

That is, if the growing roster of announced and as-yet unannounced (Democratic) gubernatorial hopefuls is any indication.

Over the weekend, youngish businessman Chris King announced his candidacy for governor. He joins Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum in what could shape up to be a pretty crowded Democratic primary for the position. Neither candidate is standard-issue, and either would likely face a monied-up Republican rival in the 2018 election.

King, an Orlando native, will, according to a media release, demand a change of leadership and used a Bernie-phile favorite term — "movement" — to describe his plan to inspire Floridians to “rise up so Florida can lead again.” He's never before run for office, but has instead headed up a firm that specializes in providing affordable housing to seniors throughout the Southeast. He also heads a nonprofit that connects at-risk youth with mentors.

He's set to make an announcement in Orlando Tuesday.

Gillum responded by welcoming him to the contest, saying he looks forward to a contest of ideas, etc.

Running for governor as a Democrat following Scott's two terms — and at a time when anti-GOP fervor seems relatively stoked — is enticing to a great many politicians (even if it is unclear whether Democrats will revert to their nasty habit of totally forgetting about midterms by the time 2018 rolls around, though it does seem like more Dem-leaning voters are finally figuring out that there are politicians who aren't president these days).

The list of likely or possible Democratic contenders who haven't announced includes Panhandle Congresswoman Gwen Graham, Miami Mayor Phil Levine and outspoken Central Florida attorney John Morgan. Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn was on that list for a while, but recently took himself off of it largely because he saw the writing on the wall in terms of the electorate's current thirst for bombast.

Will it be a bruiser of a primary? 

Yeah, probably.

Will the party have learned its lesson by then and try to strong-arm the more interesting candidates out due to antiquated notions of statewide electability?

Stay tuned!

This article appears in Mar 30 – Apr 6, 2017.