Charlie Crist sounds serious about 2022 governorâs race
Crist has elaborated a list of reasons for joining the race: dissatisfaction with Gov. Ron DeSantis, particularly his handling of the coronavirus, and Cristâs own positioning as a moderate Democrat.
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Charlie Crist greets supporters at the Renaissance Vinoy, St. Petersburg, the night of his 2007 victory in Florida s governors race. Crist is considering challenging Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2022. [ SCOTT KEELER | Times (2007) ]
By William March
Updated Feb. 5
U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, D-St. Petersburg, is sounding serious about challenging Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2022.
That puts Crist in a crowd of potential Democrats eying the race, but he would have some advantages: a Tampa Bay area base and a long history of statewide campaigns, though with mixed results.
Val Demings says she s open to running for governor or Senate in 2022 orlandosentinel.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from orlandosentinel.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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The daily rundown Between Saturday and Sunday, the number of Florida coronavirus cases increased by 7,788 (nearly 0.5 percent), to 1,721,377; deaths rose by 119 (nearly 0.5 percent), to 26,479; Since Thursday active hospitalizations went down by 464 (7 percent), to 6,101.
New poll
David Jolly is considering a run for governor in 2022.
The Pinellas County resident left the Republican party in 2018, and says a run as in independent could sway others who have become dissatisfied with the GOP.
Former Republican Congressman David Jolly sees himself as the missing middle ground Floridians want as he gauges a statewide run next year as an independent.
His target is currently the governor’s office, which Republicans have held since Jeb Bush was elected in 1998.
“I m not interested in being a spoiler,” Jolly said during an appearance Monday on the conservative podcast Bulwark.
Jolly said he’s looked into next year’s U.S. Senate race but believes he would only end up tilting the contest for Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, while allowing Gov. Ron DeSantis to be re-elected.
Florida Democrats uniformly praised President Biden’s inaugural speech and his rise to power Wednesday, while the few Florida Republicans who commented offered caveats to Biden’s bipartisan message.