Charlie Crist tells supporters of Gov. DeSantis: ‘I don’t want your vote’

After defeating Nikki Fried in Florida’s Democratic governor’s primary with 59.7% of the vote, Florida’s Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist hit out at supporters of Gov. Ron DeSantis’s supporters by saying “I don’t want your vote.”

“Those who support the governor should stay with him and vote for him. I don’t want your vote. If you have that hate in your heart — keep it. I want the vote of the people of Florida who care about our state. Good Democrats, good independents, good Republicans — unify with this ticket,” Crist said at a press conference on Wednesday.

Crist previously served as governor of Florida – as a Republican – from 2007 until 2011 before crossing the aisle and becoming a Democrat. Crist has appealed for Democrats to focus their energy on ousting DeSantis.

“It is the Democrats’ last chance to stop him, and it’s going to be a lot cheaper to do it in Florida than it would be to do it in 50 states. So, let’s do it now. Let’s stop this thing,” Crist said during an interview on CNN on Wednesday. “He’s not that popular — what is he, 50% approval? Well, when I was governor of Florida, my approval rating was 72%.”

In recent election cycles, Florida has swung red with Trump winning the state in both 2016 and 2020 and DeSantis being elected as governor in 2018.

“I’m gonna beat this guy,” Crist said, adding his praise for President Joe Biden, who he called a “phenomenal” president and the “best I’ve ever met.”

“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. I’m running against the guy who’s against democracy. He doesn’t support mail-in ballots. He doesn’t support African Americans and their right to vote,” Crist said.

He also emphasized Florida’s need for a governor who has “decency” and “compassion,” before going on to say that DeSantis “has no compassion for people.”

Crist also mocked DeSantis’ possible 2024 White House bid, saying DeSantis “has taken his eye off the ball of this most beautiful state in the country.” However it should be noted that DeSantis has made no comments saying that he would run in 2024.