Crist, Hernandez-Mats Launch 'Latinas for Choice'

Florida Rep. Charlie Crist (D) and his running mate Karla Hernandez-Mats (D) have launched “Latinas for Choice.” Crist has maintained his intention to ensure the right to choose for women across the country. In a video posted on social media, Hernandez-Mats touted the initiative, sharing their commitment to the pro-choice movement.

In the video, Hernandez-Mats calls for voters to support the gubernatorial ticket in November, citing the importance of choice in the midterm election.

“We want to make sure that everyone has access to reproductive healthcare and that we protect choice,” Hernandez-Mats said in the video, adding that “the freedom to make hard decisions with their families and governments should not be involved.”

The gubernatorial hopefuls held a rally this week with other lawmakers,, promoting the new initiative while also engaging voters to elect them in November.

Speaking to the audience,  Rep. Debbie Mucarsel Powell (D), who formerly served in the House of Representativs, addressed the crowd by affirming that Hernandez-Mats would be the next Lt. Governor of Florida. Rep. Mucarsel-Powell commented on the political landscape in Florida, warning that the it's "no surprise... we are seeing a rise in authoritarianism."

"Women and women's rights are being attacked because democracy and women's rights go hand in hand," Mucarsel Powell further expressed, commenting that  "women have led the movement to protect equality, social justice, to protect children against violence since the 17th century."

"We hold these truths to be self evident that all men and women are created equal," she concluded.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) was elected in 2018, and since then, Democrats have argued that DeSantis has employed more and more authoritarian measures over Floridians. This has attracted political rivals in Democrats from across the country.

Abortion remains an important issue heading into the election, and President Joe Biden (D) has already vowed to codify abortion rights should Democrats make improvements in the Senate.