RECAP: Gov. Ron DeSantis and Charlie Crist go head-to-head in heated gubernatorial debate
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist played offense against Republican incumbent Governor Ron DeSantis, make one last attempt to contrast himself with his opponent.
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Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and Democrat Charlie Crist sparred in a fiery debate for governor that was the first and only this election cycle. The two candidates were at odds with one another on many of the topics covered, including abortion, crime, education, the COVID-19 pandemic, President Joe Biden, and DeSantis’ future political ambitions, a common critique of the Crist campaign. Democrat rival Charlie Crist entered Monday night’s debate with little to lose as he has polled below his Republican opponent consistently and his campaign is running low on money. His goal was to build enthusiasm in the final weeks of the race and put DeSantis on the defensive against an agenda that Crist says is dividing Floridians. While DeSantis performed well by sticking to his usual talking points and hitting back at his opponent with a few jabs, Democrats hope his national reputation and policies are viewed as extremist following the hour-long debate.
A few notable moments surfaced during the debate in Fort Pierce that largely focused on Ron DeSantis’ past four years as governor. The debate opened up with the Republican candidate aligning his Democratic rival with President Joe Biden, to which Crist suggested DeSantis was preoccupied with Biden because he hopes to challenge the President in 2024. On several occasions, Crist tried to put DeSantis on the record about whether he would commit to serving a full four-year term if re-elected instead of running for president, common speculation regarding his ambitions among political insiders. But instead of answering, DeSantis paused awkwardly and refused to give an answer. “Why don’t you look in the eyes of the people of Florida and say to them, if you’re reelected you will serve a full four-year term as governor. Yes or no,” Crist asked. “Yes or no, Ron?” After silence and avoiding eye contact with his opponent, DeSantis responded, “I know that Charlie is itching to talk about 2024 and Joe Biden. But I just want to make things very, very clear: The only worn-out old donkey I’m looking to put out to pasture is Charlie Crist.” It was by far the takeaway line of the night.
The debate also focused on DeSantis’ culture wars, including his decision to restrict discussions of race and sexual orientation in public schools, efforts to prohibit gender affirmation surgery for minors, and banning transgender female athletes from competing on public school teams. “You think you know better than any physician or any doctor or any woman,” Crist said when he brought up his record. “You need to lead by uniting people, not dividing them.” Of course, abortion was a key focus for Crist heading into the debate following the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade over the summer. Crist, vowing to protect women’s abortion rights, raised the issue several times as part of his strategy to appeal to voters and energize them on the topic. During the past legislative session, DeSantis signed into law a bill that makes abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy illegal, including cases of rape and incest. He directly avoided the question, even when asked by the moderator if he would seek to enact further restrictions on abortion during a second term. Crist told called out his opponent at one point, when telling the story of a pregnant middle school student and victim of incest had to travel to another state to get an abortion because of Florida’s 15-week ban. “That’s not compassionate leadership, that’s not doing the right thing, that’s not even having a heart,” Crist said. “That’s callous. It’s barbaric and it’s wrong and Florida deserves better.” In response, DeSantis accused the Democrat of supporting abortions “until the moment of birth” and backing “dismemberment abortions.”
Gov. DeSantis tried to tie his opponent to President Biden, blaming the two of supporting policies that has brought sky-high inflation, increased energy prices, and a flood of immigrants across the U.S.-Mexico border. On immigration, Crist was critical of the Republican incumbent using state funds to fly undocumented migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard in September. He called it “a horrible political stunt,” but DeSantis defended his action and said it brought the Biden administration’s failing border policies to light. “We have elites in this country who want to impose policies on [everyday Americans].” As the debate shifted to affordability in Florida, Crist put the blame on DeSantis for increasing costs on Floridians, namely via housing. He criticized the incumbent for doing little to address affordable housing, rental stock, and anticipated utility rate hikes, saying his appointment is too “focused on running for president in 2024.” DeSantis responded by saying the economy is booming, with a record-low 2.5% unemployment rate and pro-freedom policies enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic that has led to population growth and a tourism boost. He also pointed to his record $1.3 billion in tax breaks for consumers this year.
Democrat Charlie Crist also clashed with Republican Ron DeSantis over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic; response to Hurricane Ian; limiting voting access; property insurance; energy costs; and pursuing policies that divide Floridians.
