During a recent Zoom call with Sarasota Democrats, Rep. Charlie Crist (D), who is mulling over a challenge to Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2022, spoke candidly and praised the efforts by Democrats to defeat former President Donald Trump during the 2020 presidential election. Rep. Crist said that because President Joe Biden won his race by so many votes, that he didn't think the Electoral College was needed anymore, calling the college "archaic."
But Crist not only praised Democratic activists, but he also thanked God and praised President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, calling Biden a "godsend" to America.
“This caring, decent, kind, honest leader, is a godsend, I think literally, not to sound weird, but I mean, thank God I do every day that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are, are in the White House now. And I thank God for Speaker Pelosi, and Chuck Schumer," said Crist.
The Floridian first reported that Crist was putting out feelers to run for governor, and it appears as if the former Republican-turned-Democrat governor is ramping up his gubernatorial efforts by campaigning across the state. During the call with Sarasota Democrats, Crist told attendees that he was somewhere on I-95. Interstate 95 is on the east coast of Florida, not anywhere near his congressional district on the west coast of the state. He's campaigning.
If Crist does announce a gubernatorial run, he would face Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried in what could be a highly contentious Democratic primary election. Commissioner Fried has been very vocal in her opposition against Gov. DeSantis and his administration's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the governor's support for certain pieces of legislation being addressed in the Republican-led Florida legislature.
Fried has taken specific issue with the HB 1 anti-Rioting bill as well as with SB 90 election integrity bill that just passed in both chambers this week.
