Potential Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis repeatedly refused to decide to serving one other 4 years as Florida governor if re-elected, and mentioned throughout a debate Monday he’s presently centered on defeating Democratic challenger Charlie Crist.
Amid rising hypothesis he would possibly run for president in 2024 towards Joe Biden, DeSantis mentioned throughout a heated conflict in Fort Pierce, Fla., that “the only worn-out old donkey I’m looking to put out to pasture is Charlie Crist.”
Monday’s face-off will function the solely televised debate earlier than election night time.
Crist, attempting to finish DeSantis’ governorship in 2022, mentioned the incumbent is extra involved in working for president two years from now, and that he’s doing it by selling divisive social issues reminiscent of opposition to abortion and faculty rules that focus on homosexual, lesbian and transgender college students.
Crist, Florida’s former governor from 2007 to 2011, beforehand served the Sunshine State as a Republican however switched to the Democratic Party in 2012. Since 2017, he is represented the St. Petersburg space within the U.S. House. He’s dealing with an uphill battle towards DeSantis, who has been dominating nationwide headlines as he seems to be making ready a 2024 presidential bid as a successor to former President Trump.
Crist has been persistently trailing behind DeSantis in polling, with the governor having fun with a sizeable 11 share level lead over Crist at 52%-41%, in response to a Mason-Dixon ballot launched earlier this month.
“I want to bring this state back together, and not have a divider as governor,” Crist mentioned at one level. At one other level, Crist advised DeSantis: “We know you love to bully people.”
More:Five takeaways from Florida governor race debate between Ron DeSantis and Charlie Crist
More:Abortion, voting and COVID-19: Why we’re eyeing these 10 governor’s races in 2022 midterms
The two candidates additionally clashed over COVID lockdowns, hurricane preparation, immigration, and the economic system.
Crist mentioned DeSantis is attempting to enchantment to Republicans nationally by opposing migrants, abortion, and scientists who warned that his too-open strategy to COVID left too many individuals weak to an infection – and demise.
Throughout the night, DeSantis sought to link Crist to Biden, and Democratic tax, regulation, and COVID insurance policies that he mentioned have boosted inflation and slowed the economic system.
Some highlights from Monday’s debate:
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DeSantis in closing, cites administrative successes
DeSantis, in his closing assertion, pointed to his administration’s successes with the state’s finances surplus and unemployment charges.
“We have the largest budget surplus in history. We have a 2.5% unemployment, second lowest on record,” mentioned DeSantis, earlier than turning to his administration’s insurance policies to open up Florida through the COVID pandemic whereas different states had been extra cautious.
“When a once-in-a century pandemic hit, I lead based on facts, not based on fear. I lifted you up. While some like Charlie Crist wanted to lock you down,” continued DeSantis, “I took the arrows so you wouldn’t have to.”
– Ken Tran
In closing assertion, Crist remembers his earlier time as governor
In his closing assertion to Floridians watching the talk, Crist recounted his time as the previous Governor of Florida.
“I love Florida. I love it with all my heart,” mentioned Crist. “I want to make Florida affordable again. When I was governor, I lowered your property insurance. When I was governor I made sure we had an affordable economy even in a recession.”
Crist once more criticized DeSantis, pointing to speculations the present governor is mounting a presidential bid in 2024.
“He won’t even tell you if he’ll serve four years if you re-elect him. I mean, come on. You deserve better than that,” Crist said. “Florida deserves better than that.”
– Ken Tran
Crist on border and immigration reform
Crist mentioned complete immigration reform laws that is didn’t advance in Congress is critical to safe the border and accused DeSantis of not keen to do it whereas Congress as a result of he likes having it as a difficulty for “political scoring.”
Crist took a second to remind the viewers that DeSantis would not reply his earlier query about whether or not DeSantis would serve a full, 4 12 months time period as governor if he was reelected.
“You’re running for governor, you’re asking them to vote for you for governor. At a minimum you ought to be able to tell them if you get reelected you’ll serve as governor. Ron?” Crist requested, turning to DeSantis.
DeSantis, once more, deflected the query and started talking in regards to the form of the border beneath the Biden administration’s coverage.
– Sarah Elbeshbishi
Crist cites votes in Congress on funding regulation enforcement
Crist blamed rising crime charges in Florida on DeSantis because the incumbent governor.
“How come crime is up under your four years as our governor?” Crist mentioned, then defending himself towards claims he helps defunding the police. “As a member of Congress, I voted for another $200 billion to go to law enforcement in our country to fund the police.”
– Ken Tran
DeSantis: ‘Prosecutors aren’t above the regulation’
DeSantis mentioned prosecutors aren’t above the regulation and don’t have the correct to veto duly enacted statutes, including that Crist helps prosecutors which are ignoring the regulation in areas the place crime is spiking.
DeSantis mentioned in Florida, prosecutors can’t be “a law onto yourself,” adding that duly enacted statutes must be enforced.
– Rachel Looker
DeSantis: ‘We’re talking about 13, 14, 15 year-old kids.”
Responding to Crist’s comment to allow those seeking gender-affirming surgery to decide what they want with their bodies, DeSantis said they’re talking about “kids” that aren’t in a position to know whether they can “undergo a radical procedure that physically alters your body.”
DeSantis compared a tattoo to gender-affirming surgery, saying that 15-year-olds can’t get a tattoo in the state of Florida. He said it was inappropriate and that the state will not allow it to happen.
– Sarah Elbeshbishi
Crist blasts DeSantis for suspension of Tampa Bay attorney
Crist attacked DeSantis for his suspension of a Tampa Bay attorney after announcing he would not enforce laws on transgender or abortion care.
“We have a state attorney in Tampa Bay named Andrew Warren that (DeSantis) of his own volition decided to kick out of office and suspend because he actually spoke about what he felt about an issue,” mentioned Crist. “That used to be called freedom of speech in the country.”
Turning to DeSantis, Crist advised him “Governor, I know you went to Harvard Law School, but you need to study the constitution again.”
– Ken Tran
Crist agrees with DeSantis on demise penalty sentence for Parkland shooter
When requested about whether or not the Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz ought to have acquired the demise penalty, Crist mentioned he agrees with DeSantis that Cruz ought to have been sentenced to demise.
Crist mentioned these aren’t straightforward choices, however the regulation must be carried out.
– Rachel Looker
Crist on the state’s COVID-19 demise charges
Crist mentioned that he would have listened to scientists through the COVID-19 pandemic in contrast to DeSantis, calling the present governor “so arrogant” that he would not hearken to well being care suppliers’ steering through the pandemic.
“You take a common sense approach and to do what’s right,” Crist mentioned. “We’ve lost 82,000 of our fellow Floridians.”
Crist claimed that if Florida had the requirements of different US states, 40,000 of those that died would nonetheless be alive at this time.
– Sarah Elbeshbishi
DeSantis highlights options to opioids, drug smuggling
DeSantis mentioned as governor, the state distributed half one million doses of Narcan to first responders and fashioned a Coordinated Opioids Recovery program to get people who find themselves evicted to have stabilization of their life.
He mentioned there at the moment are 12 habit stabilization facilities in Florida. DeSantis mentioned he additionally signed laws elevating the penalties for individuals trafficking fentanyl.
“If you’re trafficking that garbage, that poison, you are killing people in our state and we are going to treat you like the murderer you are,” he mentioned.
– Rachel Looker
DeSantis on abortion ban
When requested about what level in a being pregnant ought to abortions be banned, DeSantis recalled a narrative of Jamaican girl who went to get abortion, however ended up having the kid.
“I think about that because a few months ago I appointed her daughter to be the first Jamaican-American justice in the history of the Florida Supreme Court,” DeSantis mentioned.
DeSantis went on to say he is pleased with his 15-week abortion ban and is aware of that his opponent is against the invoice, earlier than saying that the fetus is “fully-formed” at 15 weeks. He additionally accused Crist of supporting sex-selective and dismemberment abortions.
– Sarah Elbeshbishi
DeSantis on Parkland shooter ruling: ‘I think he deserves the ultimate punishment’
DeSantis gave a scathing rebuke of a Florida jury’s ruling that delivered a life sentence to Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz, calling for the demise penalty as a substitute.
“I think he deserves the ultimate punishment. When you murder in cold blood 17 innocent people (at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School), there’s no other punishment that meets the gravity of that crime,” mentioned DeSantis, vowing to amend Florida regulation “so that one juror doesn’t have veto power over appropriate punishment.”
– Ken Tran
Crist hits again on gender transition
Crist mentioned DeSantis talks about gender transition like “it’s fun.”
He mentioned these are troublesome issues that deserve mature management and that Floridians deserve a governor who understands a lady has a proper to decide on. He mentioned he realized at a younger age to respect all.
“It just doesn’t sound to me like Governor DeSantis wants to do that to respect some other families’ decision about what they want for their children,” Crist mentioned.
– Rachel Looker
DeSantis claims falsely Crist helps defunding the police
DeSantis accused Crist of supporting leftist calls to “defund the police,” although the previous congressman has by no means endorsed such a coverage.
Even so, DeSantis mentioned anti-police insurance policies would harm constituents: “People are moving to Florida because we’re a much safer state,” he mentioned.
– David Jackson
On crime, Crist touts credentials as former legal professional common
When it involves imposing legal guidelines and decreasing crime charges, Crist invoked his former credentials as Florida’s prime lawyer. Crist was legal professional common of the stte from 2003-07.
“What you need to do is have somebody as an attorney general. I actually served as attorney general, the top cop of Florida,” mentioned Crist. “I understood in that role, how important it was to enforce our laws and we did it day in and day out.”
Crist blamed DeSantis for rising crime charges beneath his present tenure as governor. “Crime is up under Governor DeSantis,” mentioned Crist.
– Ken Tran
DeSantis highlights Florida’s focus on seniors first throughout pandemic
DeSantis mentioned through the pandemic, the state positioned an emphasis on seniors first, working with nursing properties and conducting testing. He mentioned the outcomes had been that different states had increased COVID mortality charges for senior residents than Florida.
“I think that that’s the approach people should have taken, focus on the vulnerable population, but make sure you’re not locking down the rest of the people,” he said. “We’ve thrived as a result.”
DeSantis mentioned this wouldn’t have occurred if Crist locked down the state in July of 2020.
– Rachel Looker
Crist hammers DeSantis for flights to Martha’s Vineyard
On the migrant disaster on the southern border, Crist referred to as for extra funding within the southern border, however then turned the problem again on DeSantis.
“It doesn’t mean that you use our taxpayer dollars to charter jet, go to Texas, lie to people to get them onto planes to fly them up to the northern part of country,” mentioned Crist, blasting DeSantis for Florida’s state-funded program that flew migrants from San Antonio, Texas, to Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts.
Crist accused DeSantis of utilizing migrants as “props for your political game.”
– Ken Tran
DeSantis on trainer pay
DeSantis attacked Crist in his rebuttal in regards to the trainer shortages, saying that he believes trainer pay to be essential and that Crist “did nothing about it” whereas governor.
The Florida governor mentioned Crist lower $300 million from the training finances as governor whereas he has elevated trainer compensation, elevating the common minimal wage for lecturers by 20% through the previous 4 years.
– Sarah Elbeshbishi
Desantis invokes tradition wars on gender
DeSantis criticized gender-affirming care for youngsters experiencing gender dysphoria, saying “it’s inappropriate to be doing basically what’s genital mutilation.”
“When they say gender-affirming care, they mean giving puberty blockers to teenage girls and teenage boys. They mean double mastectomy on young girls. They mean chemically castrating young boys,” DeSantis mentioned.
“A lot of kids go through a lot of different things. A lot of the dysphoria resolves itself by the time they become an adult,” DeSantis mentioned.
– Ken Tran
Crist to DeSantis: Gender-affirming surgical procedure just isn’t your enterprise
Crist mentioned DeSantis and the federal government don’t have any enterprise telling dad and mom that their youngsters mustn’t have gender-affirming surgical procedure.
Saying this can be a household determination, Crist advised the governor: “You want to be their judge.”
Crist as a substitute advocated the “golden rule” of treating others the best way you wish to be handled.
– David Jackson
Crist falls again on science for COVID response
Crist mentioned he would have listened to scientists throughout COVID, claiming DeSantis did the alternative.
He added that the present governor might have stored issues reopened however “with an eye toward what healthcare providers tell you.” He mentioned DeSantis was smug by not listening to healthcare suppliers about masks carrying.
“Ron, I wouldn’t pat yourself on the back too much about your response to COVID,” Crist mentioned. “We lost 82,000 of our fellow Floridians and when you look at the Thanksgiving table, one of those empty seats is probably one of those people for many families watching tonight.”
Crist claimed if Florida had the identical requirements of different states, half of these individuals would nonetheless be alive.
– Rachel Looker
DeSantis’ last remark on Critical Race Theory
In his final rebuttal on instructing CRT in faculties, DeSantis says that instructing that the U.S. was constructed on “stolen lands” is inappropriate and “not true.”
“I’m happy that we’re going to be able to have accurate history and we’re going to make sure we honor those who have sacrificed so that we can be free,” DeSantis mentioned.
Many historians would dispute DeSantis. Many white settlers of the North American continent pushed Native Americans off their land, particularly through the push westward.
– Sarah Elbeshbishi
DeSantis defends state coverage in early days of pandemic
DeSantis criticized Crist for his name to shut the state of Florida within the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“He called for harsh lockdowns in July of 2020. And if that had happened in this state, it would have destroyed the state of Florida,” mentioned DeSantis.
“I lifted you up, I protected your rights. I made sure you can earn a living,” DeSantis continued, contrasting himself towards Crist.
– Ken Tran
Crist says he doesn’t wish to ban abortion
Crist mentioned DeSantis wouldn’t reply the query about fully banning abortion.
The Democratic congressman added that he doesn’t wish to ban abortion and desires to verify a lady’s proper to decide on is offered within the state of Florida.
Crist added that he desires to verify any abortion regulation permits exceptions for rape and incest.
– Rachel Looker
More:Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, eliminating constitutional right to abortion
DeSantis calls into question Crist’s honesty on abortion
DeSantis, defending himself against Crist’s criticism of his views on abortion, questioned Crist’s pro-abortion right viewpoints, citing his previous anti-abortion viewpoints as a former Republican.
“Is this an honest change of heart? Or is this a guy that’s going to ship with whatever he needs to try to keep his political career alive?,” DeSantis said. “I think we all know the answer to that question.”
– Ken Tran
Crist: ‘I’m a uniter’ as DeSantis invoke culture wars
“There you go again, Ron. It’s all about culture wars,” Crist said to DeSantis before accusing him of always trying to be divisive as DeSantis brings up culture wars, which has been an influential factor in pushing legislation mainly affecting schools, including book bans.
“I’m a uniter. I think we need to give our state a chance to unite again,” Crist said.
– Sarah Elbeshbishi
More:These PACS are funding ‘parents’ rights advocates’ running for local school board positions
DeSantis expresses opposition to COVID-19 vaccine mandate in schools
DeSantis, turning back to education, made clear he opposed any fashion of a COVID vaccine mandate in public schools.
He accused Crist of wanting “to force students to get the COVID shot.”
“I think it’s wrong to force this on these kids,” said DeSantis, championing himself as a guardian of parental rights. “As long as I’m governor, as parents, you’re going to have the ability to make that decision.”
– Ken Tran
Crist says he prioritized teacher pay
Crist claimed when he was governor (2007-11), he prioritized teacher pay and paid teachers more per dollar than DeSantis is now. He added that when he was governor, there was a recession, but now DeSantis has a budget surplus.
“That’s how you need to lead. You need to lead by uniting people, not dividing them,” he said. “He talks about dividing us all night long. It’s what he does. It’s who you are. It’s what he’s about.”
– Rachel Looker
Crist: Schools are not teaching hate
Crist said DeSantis keeps going back to radical comments that “have nothing to do with reality” regarding what is being taught in schools. He said DeSantis thinks they are teaching these concepts in other schools in other states.
“This is Florida. You’re the governor of Florida right now,” Crist said. “ You don’t even say if you want to be the governor of Florida after this election, but you are right now and you need to be focused on what’s happening in our schools.”
He added that Florida schools are not teaching hate, but claimed the current governor does not respect teachers.
– Rachel Looker
Crist on teacher shortage: ‘Money does help’
On the nationwide teacher shortage and specifically, in Florida, Crist called for more investment in education to entice potential teachers to the field.
“Money does help,” said Crist, turning the question to DeSantis and the state’s $22 billion budget surplus, “He’s got a budget surplus. Why can’t you treat teachers better than that? That doesn’t make sense.”
– Ken Tran
Crist asks DeSantis whether he’ll serve the full term as governor if elected
Crist asked DeSantis to look at the voters in the audience and say whether he’ll serve a “full four year term as governor. Yes or no?”
After no answer, Crist pressed DeSantis: “Will you serve a full four year term if you’re reelected governor of Florida?”
DeSantis remained silent.
– Sarah Elbeshbishi
DeSantis defines divisiveness
DeSantis, when referring to policies that allow males transitioning to females to compete athletically against girls, said he thinks denying girls and women athletes the right to compete fairly is divisive, he said.
He added that Crist previously said anyone who casts a ballot in support of the current governor “has hate in their heart.”
He said Crist previously said anyone who casts a ballot in support of the current governor “has hate in their heart.”
DeSantis then went on to say he is endorsed by police groups, firefighters, truckers and the farm bureau.
“The whole cross section of the state of Florida is backing me. They do not have hate in their hearts because they reject Charlie Crist, they want to keep Florida and they want to keep Florida free,” he said.
– Rachel Looker
Crist hits DeSantis over teaching race issue in schools
Crist hit DeSantis over his attacks on “critical race theory,” saying it amounts to an effort to stop teaching any aspects of the nation’s troubled racial history.
“We need to apply common sense,” Crist said. “We need to do what’s right.”
– David Jackson
DeSantis: Schools shouldn’t ‘scapegoat’ on skin color
On discussions of race and history in the United States, DeSantis agreed that schools should teach “all of American history, including slavery, civil rights, segregation, it’s important that that’s taught.”
But, DeSantis argued, schools shouldn’t “scapegoat students based on skin color,” echoing Republican sentiments on the alleged teaching of critical race theory in public schools.
“We’re proud of our history. I don’t want to teach kids to hate our country,” said DeSantis.
– Ken Tran
DeSantis defends ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law
The governor defended education policies that have drawn controversy, including the law that forbids elementary school teachers from discussing gender issues with children – the “Don’t Say Gay” bill – as well as bans on males in girls’ sports.
DeSantis sought to turn these issues on Crist, saying “you are the one waging the culture war.”
– David Jackson
DeSantis jabs at Crist for ‘hiding out in Puerto Rico’
The Florida governor countered Crist on Hurricane Ian and rebuilding the coast, saying he was proud of the state’s response, in conducting rescues and getting the electricity back for Floridians.
DeSantis continued to list the things the state was able to do for its people before attacking Crist for “hiding out in Puerto Rico.”
– Sarah Elbeshbishi
Crist, DeSantis resort to name calling
In his response to whether he would serve a full four-year term if reelected governor, DeSantis replied that he knows Crist is interested in talking about 2024 and President Biden, but said, “the only worn-out old donkey I’m looking to put out to pasture is Charlie Crist.”
DeSantis went on to say when Crist previously ran for governor, he ran saying he would not raise taxes but then did once elected.
“We know you love to bully people and the little name calling you just exchanged, I can take it,” Crist said in his response. “But you shouldn’t do it when students are standing behind you at a press conference and they’re wearing a mask.”
– Rachel Looker
Crist blasts DeSantis on teacher pay
On education, Crist criticized DeSantis for the state’s low ranking in teacher salaries across the nation, citing a statistic that Florida is ranked 48th when it comes to pay for teachers.
“We need to focus on education and not politicize and make political warzones out of our schools,” said Crist, directly referring to DeSantis’ culture wars waged on discussion of sexual identity and gender in schools.
The National Education Association ranks Florida 48t48h in the nation for average teacher salary at $51,009.
– Ken Tran
DeSantis defends Hurricane Ian response in Tampa
Hitting again at Crist who claimed DeSantis “ignored science,” DeSantis defended his response, saying Crist was attempting to “politicize” Hurricane Ian.
“The models had shifted into Sarasota, all the folks in southwest Florida were activated,” mentioned DeSantis, applauding area people response. “I stand by every one of our local counties. They stood up and they made the best decisions.”
– Ken Tran
DeSantis hammers Crist – and Biden – over inflation
DeSantis once more linked Crist to Biden by citing the excessive inflation price that’s hurting Floridians.
The governor proposed state tax aid as a technique to take the stress off Floridians.
Crist counter-attacked by saying DeSantis is extra involved in working for president towards Biden – and DeSantis, pressed by Crist, wouldn’t say whether or not he would serve all 4 years if he’s re-elected governor.
– David Jackson
Crist: DeSantis ‘ignored science’
Crist mentioned in his rebuttal whether or not coping with COVID or the hurricane, DeSantis ignored science. He thinks he is aware of higher than everyone, Crist mentioned.
He went on so as to add that DeSantis thinks he’s the one one who has the correct reply, citing DeSantis’s positions on banning books and usurping native college boards.
“You have to apply science and do what’s right for the people and protect them,” Crist mentioned.
– Rachel Looker
Crist: Florida is the ‘most costly state to stay in’
Crist says that Florida is the costliest state to stay in in response to Forbes journal, noting that the price of residing has solely elevated beneath DeSantis whereas it went down beneath him when he served as Florida’s governor.
Crist highlighted that property insurance coverage doubled beneath DeSantis and has solely gotten worse resulting from Hurricane Ian. Crist additionally tied the rising value of fuel to DeSantis, saying that fuel costs elevated beneath DeSantis’ management.
– Sarah Elbeshbishi
Crist hits DeSantis over hurricane preparation
Crist went after DeSantis on storm preparation, saying the state was ill-prepared for Hurricane Ian and that the governor attended a soccer sport because it approached as a substitute of safeguarding the state.
Too many individuals weren’t evacuated and buildings on the coast had been too weak to the storm, Crist mentioned.
DeSantis mentioned electrical energy and roads had been restored in document time, although Crist was out of the state in Puerto Rico.
– David Jackson
DeSantis claims Crist’s owners insurance coverage plan would ‘capsize’ Florida
DeSantis blamed rising gas and pure fuel costs on Biden, Crist and the Democrats working Congress.
“They are waging war on American energy, they are not producing what we need to do,” DeSantis mentioned.
He added that Crist’s plan for owners insurance coverage is to chase non-public insurers out, saying this would “end up capsizing the state of Florida if there was a real storm.”
– Rachel Looker
Crist blames DeSantis for property insurance coverage disaster
Crist, in his rebuttal to DeSantis, blamed the incumbent governor for the state’s freefalling property insurance coverage business.
“He’s talking about our economy. He’s talking about property insurance,” mentioned Crist. “And everyone knows your property insurance is up under him.”
– Ken Tran
DeSantis and Crist joust over property insurance coverage
The candidates argued about what to do concerning the rising prices of property insurance coverage, a giant problem in hurricane-ravaged Florida.
DeSantis blamed the Biden administration, saying inflation and elevated lawsuit litigation have pushed up insurance coverage prices; he signifies there’s little the state can do in gentle of those nationwide forces.
Crist notes {that a} journal decided that Florida is the costliest state by which to stay, together with insurance coverage prices; he blamed DeSantis de-regulation insurance policies.
– David Jackson
DeSantis invokes on Biden in first query
DeSantis says that Crist votes with President Joe Biden “100% of the time,” side-stepping the moderators first query on elevated value of residing within the state.
The governor additionally talked about a letter Crist despatched him in 2020, telling him to instruct individuals to shelter in place through the peak months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
DeSantis touted his determination to maintain the state open through the pandemic whereas highlighting “biggest tax cuts in Florida history.”
– Sarah Elbeshbishi
DeSantis touts college efficiency in rebuttal to Crist
DeSantis, defending his determination to maintain faculties and companies open for almost all of the pandemic, touted the state’s excessive rating in fourth grade studying and math in response to The Nation’s Report Card.
“That would not have happened if we let Charlie Crist and his friends lock our kids out of school,” DeSantis said.
– Ken Tran
Crist calls DeSantis ‘shut down’ guy
In his rebuttal, Crist said DeSantis is the only governor in the history of the state of Florida to shut downs schools and businesses, referencing closures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“You’re the one who is the shut down guy,” Crist mentioned.
Crist said it’s important to have someone at the helm who follows science.
“You don’t just shut down at the outset and then when it’s politically convenient for you, you want to open back up to score political points for your race for president,” he said.
– Rachel Looker
First query: The economic system and housing – candidates keep away from it
The first question to Crist is a local issue: What about housing for all those people who are moving into Florida?
Crist avoids the question to talk about the “stark distinction” between him and DeSantis, particularly the latter’s opposition to abortion.
Housing and the midterms:‘I don’t have any faith in the system’: Soaring housing costs have renters mulling how they’ll vote in the midterms
Crist then suggests unnamed regulation changes to make housing more affordable.
DeSantis also avoids addressing housing, and instead links Crist to President Joe Biden.
– David Jackson
DeSantis, Crist take the debate stage
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Democratic candidate Charlie Crist have taken to the stage in Fort Pierce, Florida, to begin the first and last Florida gubernatorial debate ahead of the midterms.
DeSantis is seeking a second term as governor while Crist is hoping to become Florida’s first Democratic governor in 28 years.
The debate is set to last one hour.
– Rachel Looker
How to watch
The debate is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. CT/4:00 p.m. PT.
The debate is being hosted by WPEC-TV and you can watch their livestream here. C-SPAN may even be airing the talk at this link.
– Ken Tran
Who is Ron DeSantis?
Florida GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis, 44, is seeking his second term in office.
He has emerged as a possible presidential candidate after gaining national attention among the Republican party. The Republican governor has clashed with President Joe Biden over the COVID lockdown, vaccine policies and most recently, Biden’s immigration policies.
More:2024 presidential race preview? Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis debates challenger Charlie Crist
DeSantis authorized the unannounced transport of nearly 50 Venezuelan migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard last month, riling up the left for using migrants as a political stunt. The move resulted in a criminal investigation and a federal class action lawsuit.
DeSantis was deployed to Iraq as an adviser to a U.S. Navy SEAL commander throughout his lively obligation service, in response to a bio on his marketing campaign web site. He served in Congress representing Florida’s 6th District from 2013 till he was elected governor in 2019.
The 46th governor of Florida has two daughters and one son, all under the age of six, with his wife Casey DeSantis, an Emmy award winning television host.
– Rachel Looker
Who is Charlie Crist?
Charlie Crist, 66, formerly served as Republican governor of Florida from 2007 to 2011. Since switching parties, this will be the now-Democrat’s second attempt at office.
The Democratic candidate resigned from Congress where he represented Florida’s 13th district, a position he held since 2017, to focus on his gubernatorial campaign.
The former governor recently received the endorsement from President Barack Obama, who has been campaigning for Democrats in battleground states. Days leading up to the debate, Crist dismissed his campaign manager, who was arrested on a domestic violence charge.
Crist has held other positions in public service serving as state senator, commissioner of education and attorney general. He got engaged earlier this summer to Chelsea Grimes, a mother of six children from Minneapolis, the Tampa Bay Times reported. It is the third marriage for both.
If he wins, Crist will be Florida’s first Democratic governor in 28 years.
– Rachel Looker
DeSantis well positioned for reelection as speculation swirls around a 2024 presidential run
DeSantis boasts a a lot increased nationwide profile in comparison with Crist, as many speculate he’s mounting a 2024 presidential bid.
The Florida governor has made a name for himself as a leader in the conservative movement, waging numerous culture wars and making national headlines. DeSantis has signed bills that banned the alleged teaching of critical race theory in schools and restricted discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity in Florida schools.
His decision to fly 48 Venezuelan migrants to Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts in September drew both national condemnation from immigrant activists and progressives and praise from conservatives who want to clamp down on crossings at the southern border.
Analysts say he’s well positioned to win reelection thanks to his conservative stardom, and he’s received bipartisan support for his response to Hurricane Ian, including from President Biden.
– Ken Tran
DeSantis triggers Donald Trump’s ire with Colorado endorsement
DeSantis warmed up for tonight’s debate with Crist by drawing the ire of a potential 2024 White House opponent: Donald Trump.
The Florida governor taped a robocall endorsement for Colorado U.S. Senate candidate Joe O’Dea, who just happens to be one of the Republican Party’s most outspoken critics of Trump.
The former president, who previously attacked O’Dea, responded on the Truth Social website by posting a news story about DeSantis’ endorsement and adding a brief comment in all caps: “A BIG MISTAKE!”
Asked about Trump’s blowback, the DeSantis campaign responded with a news story about how the governor has endorsed a variety of Republican candidates during the midterm elections.
DeSantis’ possible presidential ambitions for 2024 will likely surface in tonight’s gubernatorial debate.
– David Jackson
‘A spineless, wannabe dictator:’ Look for Crist to aggressively go after DeSantis
Expect an aggressive Crist in tonight’s debate – perhaps his last chance to make a dent in an uphill race against the incumbent Republican DeSantis.
Statewide polls over the past month give DeSantis leads of at least 10 percentage points over Democrat Crist, the former governor and current member of Congress.
Crist has signaled his strategy in a series of tweets over the weekend.
Said one: “In case you haven’t heard: Ron DeSantis is a spineless, wannabe dictator who is going to lose” on Election Day.
– David Jackson
Crist expected to bring up controversial flights to Martha’s Vineyard
As Monday night’s debate will be the only televised debate in this race, Crist is expected to go on a full offensive against DeSantis as Florida voters tune in.
He’s likely to bring up DeSantis’ controversial state-funded program that flew migrants to Martha’s Vineyard, an affluent island in Massachusetts. Crist has already blasted DeSantis for the move, calling the flights “inhumane.”
The move was a message to the White House to draw attention to the migrant crisis at the southern border. But the flights might not have been as politically advantageous as DeSantis anticipated.
Related:Could Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ migrant tactic backfire politically with key voting bloc?
The Treasury Department is currently investigating whether DeSantis’ office misused money intended for COVID-19 relief to charter the flights. In September, a country sheriff in San Antonio, Texas, where the flights departed from, also opened a criminal investigation into the matter.
– Ken Tran