Charlie Crist raised more than $1 million within 24 hours of winning the Democratic nomination for Florida’s governor, offering a preview of a race to oust a popular GOP governor viewed as a likely 2024 presidential hopeful.
Crist raked in more than $1 million after defeating challenger Nikki Fried, bolstering the Democratic nominee as he prepares to face Gov. Ron DeSantis in November. Crist faces an uphill battle in ousting DeSantis from office, but a win for the Democrat could spell trouble for DeSantis as he mulls a presidential bid for 2024.
CHARLIE CRIST WINS DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION TO CHALLENGE RON DESANTIS IN FLORIDA GOVERNOR’S RACE
The growing rivalry between Crist and DeSantis has been made clear in the days following the primary, with DeSantis decrying his Democratic opponent as “contemptible” for saying he doesn’t want votes from those who support the incumbent, calling them “haters.” That could create even more challenges for Crist because the race leans “likely Republican,” meaning his comments attacking DeSantis’s base could push voters away.
Once regarded as a swing state, Florida has trended red in recent election cycles, opting for DeSantis in 2018, a Republican-controlled state legislature, and former President Donald Trump in 2016 and 2020. Crist has voiced optimism that he can reverse that trend.
The Democratic nominee has also highlighted his support of President Joe Biden on the campaign trail despite the president consistently receiving low approval ratings from Florida voters. The Democrat praised Biden as “exceptional,” pointing to his efforts to help Ukraine amid the Russian invasion.
“He’s a good man, he’s a great man, [and] he’s a great president,” Crist told CNN. “I mean, what other president could have done what he’s done? He’s been phenomenal. Gas prices are down. Inflation is trending down. Democracy is trending up.”
DeSantis has used this stance to his advantage, releasing a series of attack ads tying Crist to the president and claiming he would “do to Florida what Biden’s done to America.”
However, the incumbent has faced criticism for comments he has made in the last week, particularly as DeSantis criticized Dr. Anthony Fauci after the infectious diseases expert announced his retirement.
“Someone needs to grab that little elf and chuck him across the Potomac,” DeSantis told supporters at a campaign appearance outside Orlando this week.
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DeSantis heads into the general election with an advantage over Crist, as the Florida governor has risen to stardom in the Republican Party. Although he hasn’t announced a presidential bid for 2024, DeSantis has consistently polled as the top primary challenger to Trump in a hypothetical GOP primary matchup.
