'It's Harder To Survive Or Even Thrive In FL:' Crist Campaign

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — "My family's story is America's story," Democratic Rep. Charlie Crist said in St. Petersburg Tuesday when he announced he is running for Florida governor. He's the first prominent Democrat to declare his intention to oust Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Crist said he believes hard work, no matter what a person's social status is, should get a person what they dream about, and that goal is out of reach for Floridians today because of DeSantis.

The former governor told supporters his grandfather came to the U.S. in 1914 from Greece. He shined shoes for a living and made $5 a month. He saved money so Crist's dad could attend college to be a doctor. When Crist was 3, his parents and three siblings moved to St. Pete, where Crist graduated from St. Petersburg High School and went to Florida State University.

"But these days it's so much harder for Floridians to pursue their dreams," Crist told a crowd of St. Petersburg locals and city officials. "It's harder to thrive or even survive in Florida's economy. Every year the middle-class gets squeezed by rent, by housing costs, by utility bills, healthcare costs, student loan debt and stagnant wages. People of color continue to be systemically locked out of opportunity and equal treatment."

Crist listed issues he will tackle if elected:

• Protect civil rights
• Make it easier to vote instead of harder. DeSantis signed laws adding restrictions to ballot drop boxes and requests for mail-in ballots after the last presidential election saw more Democrats voted-by-mail in Florida.
• Medicaid expansion
• Altering climate change
• Expanding renewable energy such as solar and wind
• Invest in protecting communities from rising sea levels and hurricanes
• Invest in public schools
• Invest in colleges and schools, never cut Bright Future scholarships
• Support public transit
• Increase small business support
• Create more jobs for working families
• Keep taxes low
• Keep college affordable
• Make the cost of property insurance reasonable
• Raise minimum wage to $15 an hour

"Listen, I know it's an ambitious agenda, but we can get it done," Crist said. "We'll follow the golden rule. Do unto others as you would have done unto you."

Crist is the only Democrat candidate who has officially announced his run against DeSantis for 2022 Florida governor. The Tampa Bay Times reported that Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, is considering a Democratic run for the office, too. U.S. Rep. Val Demings of Orlando is also considering. The outlet reported that other potential candidates include state Sets. Annette Taddeo and Randolph Bracy and state Rep. Anna Eskamani.

Crist announced on social media Tuesday morning ahead of his rally that he is running for governor, a job he held before joining Congress.

DeSantis was in St. Petersburg Monday at The Big Catch at Salt Creek to sign an anti-vaccine passport bill and suspend local emergency COVID-19 orders.

In response to DeSantis's presence in St. Pete, Crist responded on Twitter Monday: "Look who's in St. Pete ahead of the big day! You're welcome anytime @GovRonDeSantis — we could talk to the press together. Any time, any place. Game on."

Crist was governor of Florida from 2007 to 2011, and he was succeeded by Republican Rick Scott. Crist posted his "Florida For All" campaign on Twitter that highlights what he did for the state during his term, and what he's done for the state as a representative during the pandemic.

In the video, Crist said Florida has a governor (DeSantis) that's only focused on his future, not yours.

"Florida should be a place where hard work is rewarded, justice is equal, and opportunity is right in front of you," Crist posted on Twitter. "That's a Florida for all — and that's why I'm running for Governor."

Florida should be a place where hard work is rewarded, justice is equal, and opportunity is right in front of you. That's a Florida for all — and that's why I'm running for Governor.

Join us: https://t.co/ayqK3371Ik pic.twitter.com/l1OksxMP1y
— Charlie Crist (@CharlieCrist) May" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/CharlieCri... 4, 2021

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