As the state of Florida (and the nation as a whole) stands two weeks away from the midterm elections and early voting has already begun, the meaning of every endorsement is heightened. In eyebrow-raising news, dozens of Charlie Crist’s (D) former associates and staffers, including Crist’s former chief of staff George LeMieux (a man in which Crist would later appoint to be a U.S. Senator), have endorsed Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) and his reelection effort.
Those who endorsed the current governor (37 in all) write that “the choice this November could not be more clear,” in an open letter to the state of Florida.
The 37 that signed include Jeff Kottkamp, the former Lieutenant Governor of Florida, Charles Bronson, the former Commissioner of Agriculture, Bill McCollum the former Attorney General, and Ken Pruitt, the former Senate President.
These gentlemen were within former Governor’s Crist’s administration while he was a Republican.
“The undersigned represent former colleagues and staff of Charlie Crist,” they write in the letter. “Together, we have known Charlie in virtually all phases of his career and public life. We are well-qualified to endorse in the Florida Governor’s race because we have significant experience in public service to the state of Florida.”
In defense of their decision, the signees applaud DeSantis’ efforts as the governor during his tenure in Tallahassee.
“Governor DeSantis has delivered for Florida. He has led our state with courage and conviction. He has demonstrated his ability to lead us through difficult times. We stand with Governor DeSantis because the stakes are too high,” write the signees.
They conclude, “we urge Florida to re-elect Ron DeSantis as our Governor.”
NEW: 37 former colleagues and staffers of Charlie Crist, including George LeMieux, Crist’s former chief of staff who he appointed to be U.S. senator, have endorsed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for reelection, saying he has led Florida “with courage and conviction.” pic.twitter.com/z1Zd5Oxk4w
— Daniel Lippman (@dlippman) October 25, 2022
While it is presumed that most of these staffers are Republicans due to the Crist’s political affiliations at the time, the public endorsement of your rival candidate from your former staffers and colleagues does not help your cause.
