TAMPA, Fla. — U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist on Wednesday continued to hone his messaging as he faces a competitive Democratic primary for Florida governor, attacking Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis as “the worst governor in Florida’s modern era” and avoiding any mention of his primary opponents.
At a news conference to mark the one-year anniversary of his entry into the governor’s race, Crist touched on issues of overall affordability, good jobs and health care access. He compared DeSantis to Russian President Vladimir Putin, former Cuban President Fidel Castro and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, saying all would “nod in approval” with how DeSantis is running Florida.
Crist, who was the Republican governor of Florida from 2007 to 2011, continued his campaign strategy of focusing on DeSantis instead of on his primary opponents, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and state Sen. Annette Taddeo — despite the Fried campaign’s recent attacks on Crist’s record on housing and abortion rights.
