Gov. Ron DeSantis will face off against former governor and US Rep. Charlie Crist (D-Florida) in the November contest for the state’s corner office. Crist won the right to challenge the sitting governor by defeating current Florida Department of Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried in the Florida primary election on Aug. 23. Prior to winning his current seat representing Florida’s 13th District in the U.S. House of Representatives, Crist served as governor of Florida 2007 to 2011.
In his victory speech, Crist said that though he had defeated Fried, they shared a common goal.
“Thank you Nikki Fried for fighting the good fight for the last 4 years in Tallahassee,” Crist said. “We share the same goal – to save our state and defeat DeSantis.”
During a special primary night event in Hialeah for supporters of GOP candidates, DeSantis said that Republican victories up and down the ticket in the November election is crucial.
“Freedom is on the line this November — and our bold agenda for parental rights in education, safe communities, a vibrant economy, and a protected environment is vital to keeping the state of Florida free,” DeSantis told supporters of GOP candidates. “Our state is worth fighting for.”
Rep. Blaise Ingoglia of Spring Hill, who is currently seeking election to the State Senate District 10 seat said that Crist has a “zero-shot against our great Governor Ron DeSantis.”
“Voters know Charlie Crist very well,” Ingoglia said. “Unfortunately for him, it’s as a flip-flopping, serial party switcher that has no backbone.”
The gubernatorial election will take place on Nov. 8, 2022.
