Rep. Charlie Crist (D), the former Republican-turned-Democrat Governor of Florida, is expected to announce a 2022 Democratic gubernatorial primary run, and in doing so, Crist has taken a shot at Gov. Ron DeSantis and Rep. Matt Gaetz by appearing to infer that DeSantis may have taken ill-advised liberties by possibly taking private plane rides with Gaetz.
Rep. Crist's comment came during a recent Zoom call with Sarasota Democrats during a recent trip he made to South Florida, possibly to begin to shore up support for a run for statewide office.
Crist jabbed at Gaetz over recent reports that he was being investigated for possibly having relations with an underage girl and potentially committed sex trafficking by flying her across state lines.
“This whole Matt Gaetz thing that is going on and on right now, it seems like every single day there is a whole new facet to it, if not every single hour,” said Crist. “And mark my words my friends, the tentacle of this horrible moment in our history, dealing with this situation and this colleague of mine.”
Crist added that he believed the “tentacles” run deep in this investigation of Gaetz and doesn’t think investigators have “hit the bottom” before reminding attendees on the call that Gaetz and DeSantis are close.
“It was Mr. Gaetz who was co-chair of Governor DeSantis transition team. These guys are close. And according to news reports, flew on planes together. God knows where. I don’t know,” asserted Crist before informing that he was “
looking very seriously at running for governor.
Florida State Rep. Alex Andrade (R) responded to The Floridian's request for comment on Crist's potential gubernatorial run against DeSantis after Crist was heard questioning the Electoral College.
“Democrats in 2020 supported “Crime Bill Biden” and “Incarcerate them all Kamala." I had no idea progressives were so tough on crime, but I guess it would be consistent to support “Chain Gang Charlie," stated Andrade. "I can’t wait to see if he runs as a Republican, a Democrat, or an Independent this time."
Rep. Anthony Sabatini (R-32) also chimed in on the commentary saying:
"Crist is a very freaky person; an old, recycled sunburnt politician with no identity or accomplishment other than running for office 30 years plus."
