Charlie Crist
Charlie Crist (Democratic Party) was a member of the U.S. House, representing Florida's 13th Congressional District. He assumed office on January 3, 2017. He left office on August 31, 2022.
Crist (Democratic Party) ran for election for Governor of Florida. He lost in the general election on November 8, 2022.
On June 7, 2023, President Joe Biden (D) nominated Crist to serve as a U.S. representative to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).[1]
Crist is a former Republican Governor of Florida, succeeding former governor Jeb Bush. He served from 2007 to 2011. Crist was succeeded by former governor Rick Scott.
Crist began his political career representing parts of St. Petersburg in the Florida Senate. He served as Florida's state education commissioner from 2001 to 2003, until the office was eliminated, and as the state attorney general from 2003 to 2007.[2] Crist was the first Republican attorney general to be elected in Florida.[3]
Crist had long been affiliated with the Republican Party until becoming an Independent in 2010. He became a Democrat in December 2012.[4]
On May 4, 2021, Crist announced his candidacy for Governor of Florida in 2022.[5] On August 27, 2022, Crist officially selected his running mate, Karla Hernández-Mats.[6][7]
During his time in the United States House of Representatives, Crist has served on the Committee on Financial Services.
Crist announced his resignation from the United States House of Representatives, effective at the end of the day on August 31, 2022. Florida is one of five states with a resign-to-run law.[8]
Biography
Crist attended Wake Forest University, where he played quarterback for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team. Crist received his undergraduate degree from Florida State University where he was the Vice President of the student body. He received his law degree from the Cumberland School of Law in Alabama.[9]
Career
Below is an abbreviated outline of Crist's academic, professional, and political career:[10]
- 2017-2022: U.S. Representative from Florida's 13th Congressional District
- 2007-2011: Governor of Florida
- 2003-2007: Florida state attorney general
- 2001-2003: Florida state education commissioner
- 1999-2001: Florida deputy secretary of business and professional regulation
- 1993-1999: Florida state senator
- 1988-1989: Staff, U.S. Senator Connie Mack of Florida
- 1981: Graduated from Cumberland School of Law with a J.D.
- 1978: Graduated from Florida State University in Tallahassee with a B.S.
Committee assignments
U.S. House
2021-2022
Crist was assigned to the following committees:[Source]
- House Committee on Appropriations
- Defense
- Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
- Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies
- Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
- Environment
- Space and Aeronautics
2019-2020
Crist was assigned to the following committees:[Source]
2017-2018
At the beginning of the 115th Congress, Crist was assigned to the following committees:[11]
Key votes
- See also: Key votes
Ballotpedia monitors legislation that receives a vote and highlights the ones that we consider to be key to understanding where elected officials stand on the issues. To read more about how we identify key votes, click here.
Key votes: 117th Congress, 2021-2023
The 117th United States Congress began on January 3, 2021 and ended on January 3, 2023. At the start of the session, Democrats held the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives (222-213), and the U.S. Senate had a 50-50 makeup. Democrats assumed control of the Senate on January 20, 2021, when President Joe Biden (D) and Vice President Kamala Harris (D), who acted as a tie-breaking vote in the chamber, assumed office. We identified the key votes below using Congress' top-viewed bills list and through marquee coverage of certain votes on Ballotpedia.
Key votes: 117th Congress, 2021-2023 | ||||||||
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Key votes: Previous sessions of Congress
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Key votes: 116th Congress, 2019-2021The 116th United States Congress began on January 9, 2019, and ended on January 3, 2021. At the start of the session, Democrats held the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives (235-200), and Republicans held the majority in the U.S. Senate (53-47). Donald Trump (R) was the president and Mike Pence (R) was the vice president. We identified the key votes below using Congress' top-viewed bills list and through marquee coverage of certain votes on Ballotpedia.
Key votes: 115th Congress, 2017-2018
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Elections
2022
Governor of Florida
See also: Florida gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2022
General election
General election for Governor of Florida
Incumbent Ron DeSantis defeated Charlie Crist, Carmen Gimenez, and Hector Roos in the general election for Governor of Florida on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Ron DeSantis (R) | 59.4 | 4,614,210 |
![]() | Charlie Crist (D) | 40.0 | 3,106,313 | |
![]() | Carmen Gimenez (No Party Affiliation) | 0.4 | 31,577 | |
Hector Roos (L) | 0.2 | 19,299 |
Total votes: 7,771,399 | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Kyle Gibson (No Party Affiliation)
- Frank Hughes Jr. (No Party Affiliation)
- Piotr Blass (No Party Affiliation)
- Jodi Jeloudov (No Party Affiliation)
- James Thompson (No Party Affiliation)
- Mark Graham (Unity Party)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Governor of Florida
Charlie Crist defeated Nikki Fried, Cadance Daniel, and Robert Willis in the Democratic primary for Governor of Florida on August 23, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Charlie Crist | 59.7 | 904,524 |
![]() | Nikki Fried | 35.3 | 535,480 | |
![]() | Cadance Daniel | 2.5 | 38,198 | |
![]() | Robert Willis | 2.4 | 36,786 |
Total votes: 1,514,988 | ||||
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If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Richard Dembinsky (D)
- David Nelson Freeman (D)
- Amaro Lionheart (D)
- Annette Taddeo (D)
- Alex Lundmark (D)
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Ron DeSantis advanced from the Republican primary for Governor of Florida.
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
Libertarian primary election
The Libertarian primary election was canceled. Hector Roos advanced from the Libertarian primary for Governor of Florida.
U.S. House Florida District 13
Charlie Crist did not file to run for re-election.
2020
See also: Florida's 13th Congressional District election, 2020
Florida's 13th Congressional District election, 2020 (August 18 Republican primary)
Florida's 13th Congressional District election, 2020 (August 18 Democratic primary)
General election
General election for U.S. House Florida District 13
Incumbent Charlie Crist defeated Anna Paulina Luna and Jacob Curnow in the general election for U.S. House Florida District 13 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Charlie Crist (D) | 53.0 | 215,405 |
![]() | Anna Paulina Luna (R) ![]() | 47.0 | 190,713 | |
![]() | Jacob Curnow (R) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 7 |
Total votes: 406,125 | ||||
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If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Charlie Crist advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 13.
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 13
Anna Paulina Luna defeated Amanda Makki, George Buck, Sheila Griffin, and Sharon Barry Newby (Unofficially withdrew) in the Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 13 on August 18, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Anna Paulina Luna ![]() | 36.1 | 22,941 |
![]() | Amanda Makki | 28.3 | 17,967 | |
![]() | George Buck | 25.8 | 16,371 | |
![]() | Sheila Griffin | 6.8 | 4,329 | |
![]() | Sharon Barry Newby (Unofficially withdrew) ![]() | 2.9 | 1,866 |
Total votes: 63,474 (100.00% precincts reporting) | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Matt Becker (R)
2018
General election
General election for U.S. House Florida District 13
Incumbent Charlie Crist defeated George Buck in the general election for U.S. House Florida District 13 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Charlie Crist (D) | 57.6 | 182,717 |
![]() | George Buck (R) | 42.4 | 134,254 |
Total votes: 316,971 (100.00% precincts reporting) | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 13
Incumbent Charlie Crist advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 13 on August 28, 2018.
Candidate | ||
✔ | ![]() | Charlie Crist |
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 13
George Buck defeated Brad Sostack in the Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 13 on August 28, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | George Buck | 56.0 | 30,567 |
![]() | Brad Sostack | 44.0 | 24,020 |
Total votes: 54,587 | ||||
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2016
Obama endorsement |
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During the 2016 election cycle Crist was one of the candidates endorsed by President Barack Obama |
Full list of Obama's 2016 endorsements |
Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as a race to watch. It was previously rated as a battleground, but due to court-ordered redistricting, the seat became much more Democratic. Incumbent David Jolly (R) sought re-election in 2016. He initially planned to pursue a U.S. Senate bid, but he dropped out of the race in preparation for incumbent Marco Rubio's entry. Jolly was defeated by former Governor Charlie Crist (D) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Jolly defeated Mark Bircher in the Republican primary on August 30, 2016.[91][92][93][94][95][96]
Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | ![]() |
51.9% | 184,693 | |
Republican | David Jolly Incumbent | 48.1% | 171,149 | |
Total Votes | 355,842 | |||
Source: Florida Division of Elections |
Candidate | Vote % | Votes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
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75.1% | 41,005 | ||
Mark Bircher | 24.9% | 13,592 | ||
Total Votes | 54,597 | |||
Source: Florida Division of Elections |
2014
- See also: Florida gubernatorial election, 2014
Crist ran unsuccessfully for Governor of Florida in 2014. He secured the Democratic nomination in the primary on August 26 and challenged Republican incumbent Rick Scott in the general election. Scott defeated Crist to win re-election in the general election on November 4, 2014.[97]
Long before entering the race in November 2013, Crist's decision to change his party registration to Democrat in December 2012 and his subsequent hobnobbing with the Democratic Governors Association strongly indicated the former governor was preparing for a comeback bid against Scott in 2014.[98]
Crist was a Republican until 2010 when he re-registered as an Independent in order to stay in the race after Republican voters chose Marco Rubio over him in the primary, and his latest party makeover was widely interpreted as a strategic maneuver aimed at helping him unseat Scott.[99]
Crist filed his candidacy on November 1, 2013.[100] On July 17, 2014, he selected Annette Taddeo-Goldstein, a Colombian-American business owner and chair of the Miami-Dade Democratic Party, to be his running mate for lieutenant governor.[101]
Results
Primary election
Governor of Florida, Democratic Primary, 2014 | ||||
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Candidate | Vote % | Votes | ||
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74.4% | 623,001 | ||
Nan Rich | 25.6% | 214,795 | ||
Total Votes | 837,796 | |||
Election results via Florida Division of Elections. |
General election
Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Florida, 2014 | ||||
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Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
Republican | ![]() |
48.1% | 2,865,343 | |
Democratic | Charlie Crist/Annette Taddeo-Goldstein | 47.1% | 2,801,198 | |
Libertarian | Adrian Wyllie/Greg Roe | 3.8% | 223,356 | |
No Party Affiliation | Glenn Burkett/Jose Augusto Matos | 0.7% | 41,341 | |
No Party Affiliation | Farid Khavari/Lateresa Jones | 0.3% | 20,186 | |
Nonpartisan | Write-in votes | 0% | 137 | |
Total Votes | 5,951,561 | |||
Election results via Florida Division of Elections |
To view more details about the 2014 election, click [show] to expand the section. | |||
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2010
Crist ran unsuccessfully for an open seat on the United States Senate in 2010. He lost two times to Republican Marco Rubio during the election- first in the primary, and again, after he re-entered the race as an independent candidate in the general election. On November 2, 2010, Rubio won election to the United States Senate. He defeated Kendrick B. Meek (D), Alexander Andrew Snitker (L), Bernie DeCastro (I), Charlie Crist (I), Sue Askeland (I), Rick Tyler (I), Lewis Jerome Armstrong (I), Bobbie Bean (I), Bruce Ray Riggs (I), Piotr Blass (I), Richard Lock (I), Belinda Gail Quarterman-Noah (I), Geroge Drake (I), Robert Monroe (I), Howard Knepper (I) and Carol Ann Joyce LaRose (I) in the general election.[118]
2006
Crist was elected Governor of Florida in November 2006. He consistently led Democratic opponent Jim Davis in statewide opinion polling during the fall of 2006, and so opted to skip a politically-risky appearance with President Bush. Crist had reasoned that the Pensacola area was already firmly in his camp, and instead decided to appear in a more closely-contested area with Arizona Senator John McCain. Davis accused Crist of trying to avoid being associated with the unpopular President, whose job-approval rating stood at 34 percent nationally and merely 29 percent within Florida.[119]
Crist also led his opponents in fundraising throughout the campaign, but his activities were occasionally controversial. One of Crist's backers was real estate mogul Donald Trump, whose guests at a Crist fundraiser included a former Ukrainian official in the country illegally, as well as the owner of a company under investigation by Crist's office. Crist later returned the donations from the companies under investigation, while the Ukrainian official's fee was paid by another guest. Further controversy set in, however, when ethics complaints were filed against Crist and his chief of staff for failing to investigate a major donor, personnel firm Convergys, that had been plagued by lawsuits and prison sentences for its role in the inadequate protection of state employees' social security numbers.
The Rev. O'Neal Dozier, a member of Crist's team and the Worldwide Christian Church, also generated controversy after being dismissed from his position on the Broward Judicial Nominating Commission for calling Islam a "cult" and a "dangerous religion," and opposing the construction of a Mosque on the grounds that "we don't want our area to be a breeding ground for terrorists."[120] When questioned about Dozier, Crist initially declined to take action on Dozier and said that he was "happy" with the help he got.[121] However, Crist later told his staff to remove Dozier from all campaign committees, saying "While Charlie Crist respects Rev. Dozier's right to express his political and religious beliefs, he does not agree with Rev. Dozier's recent statements and writings concerning Islam."[122][123]
1999
In 1999, Governor Jeb Bush appointed Crist to the position of Deputy Secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
Campaign themes
2022
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Charlie Crist did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
Campaign website
Crist's campaign website stated the following:
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DEFENDING REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM On Day 1, Charlie will sign an Executive Order defending the right to access a safe abortion as guaranteed by the Florida Constitution and the United States Constitution. The Florida Constitution enshrines a right to privacy, stating that “every natural person has the right to be left alone and free from governmental intrusion into the person’s private life.” With the Supreme Court’s radical decision to take away the right to privacy that tens of millions of Americans have had for the last 50 years, Charlie Crist will go on offense and take executive action to safeguard the protections of Roe v. Wade. As governor, Charlie will fight for Floridians rights to make decisions about their own bodies. As governor, Charlie will:
Gov. Ron DeSantis and his Republican colleagues in Tallahassee care more about their political futures than our democracy and your right to vote. There is no other explanation for their constant voter suppression efforts. If Charlie Crist is elected as Florida’s next governor, here are five steps he would immediately take to make it easier to vote:
Clean water is essential for the health of every Floridian – and for the health of our precious environment. But it’s also essential for a healthy economy. We’ve seen the economic and environmental devastation when our elected leaders look the other way and let special interests pollute our water. And then Floridians pay the price. With Red Tide once again hitting the state’s Gulf Coast and with Blue-Green Algae choking Lake Okeechobee and threatening coastal communities, our economy, our jobs, and our way of life are at stake. The Crist administration will make it a top priority to ensure our water is clean for all Floridians. REDUCE THE RUN-OFF
IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM TASK FORCE
REPLACE ALL SEPTIC TANKS – AND STOP ADDING NEW ONES – IN URBAN AREAS
SUPPORT WATER STORAGE AND WETLAND RESTORATION
PROTECT FLORIDA’S FRESHWATER SPRINGS
FULLY FUND AND STAFF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
STOP POLLUTING LAKE OKEECHOBEE
RESTORE AND PROTECT OUR EVERGLADES
As Governor, Crist Will Create State Office for New Floridians More than 900 people move to Florida every day. That’s nearly 330,000 new Floridians every year, and we want to welcome them with open arms. Between 2010 and 2020, Florida’s population grew by 2.7 million residents or 14.6 percent, double the nation’s overall population growth. More than 20 percent of our residents were born in another country. Sometimes our new neighbors need assistance navigating their new home—and the Office for New Floridians will cut red tape, reduce bureaucracy, and provide essential information and services to ensure every New Floridian can make a successful transition. New Floridians are an essential part of the economy of our state. They buy houses, open new businesses, send their children to school and help improve our communities. As governor, Charlie Crist will make sure our new neighbors get essential assistance to make a successful transition — regardless of whether they’re moving to Florida from another state or another country. The Crist administration will establish a new office to accomplish this: the Office for New Floridians. It can be hard to move to a new state and sort out which government office can help you obtain a driver’s license and change your motor vehicle registration, seek a professional license to pursue a particular career, or obtain the proper local licenses and permits to open a new business. You might need help finding a job, finding the right school for your children, learning how to save money for college, or accessing social services available in your neighborhood that can help with the move and transition. This will provide one stop for new residents seeking help as they put down roots in the Sunshine State.
Florida currently does not make it easy enough to become a New Floridian. Paperwork, red tape, and bureaucracy create burdens that are too high and prevent New Floridians from making a smooth and quick transition. By focusing on solving this problem, we will grow our economy, create jobs, and put power in the people’s hands. Whether a New Floridian is coming from Boston or Bogata, the Office for New Floridians will ensure Florida is the most welcoming state in the union for new residents.
1. Restoring Voting Rights Restoring voting rights. As governor, Charlie Crist will honor the intent of the voters who overwhelmingly approved Amendment 4. He will seek a new state law that would enable felons who have been released from prison to have their voting rights automatically restored while they continue to pay what they owe in court costs, fines and restitution. Crist also will immediately initiate a rigorous effort to reform and accelerate consideration of clemency requests, just as he did when he was governor when the state restored rights to more than 150,000 deserving Floridians. 2. Reducing Gun Violence Reducing gun violence. In St. Petersburg and too many other cities across Florida and the nation, gun violence is on the rise. The homicide rate in Florida rose 10 percent in 2020 over the previous year. Gov. Crist will encourage and invest in local, grass-roots efforts in St. Pete and elsewhere aimed at uniting communities against gun violence. He will partner with local governments in gun safety campaigns to encourage legal gun owners to keep their guns locked up and properly stored. He will invest the state’s time and money in a comprehensive approach to reduce gun-related crime by improving neighborhoods through better social services, expanded affordable housing, better schools and more economic opportunities. As governor, Crist also will continue to seek stronger gun safety laws that include universal background checks for legal gun buyers as well as bans on large magazines and assault rifles. 3. Marijuana Reform Legalizing marijuana. As governor, Charlie Crist will call for the full legalization of marijuana for adults, which already exists in nearly 20 states. Revenue from taxes on legal sales will be used to fund the police, drug treatment programs and diversion programs. Funds will also be used to support our teachers. Adults will also be able to legally grow up to six marijuana plants for personal use. Crist will also call for dismantling the unfair vertical integration model for medical marijuana, which requires license holders to cultivate, process and sell their product. That limits competition, creates a handful of powerful cartels and discriminates against Black farmers with limited resources. Crist will create a new structure that will significantly increase accessibility to medical marijuana, decentralize operations, and enable minority entrepreneurs and others to enter the market and focus on what they do best, whether it is farming, processing or selling the product. Expunging marijuana charges. Crist will seek legislation to expunge all existing charges and sentences for misdemeanors and third degree felonies for marijuana possession, which covers up to 30 grams of marijuana or 1 ounce. Hillsborough State Attorney Andrew Warren, for example, has essentially been diverting those cases. At least four states provided similar relief in 2021: New Jersey, New Mexico, New York and Virginia. Nationally, Black residents are nearly four times more likely to be arrested on marijuana charges than white residents — and seven of 10 voters nationally believe marijuana should be legalized. 4. Reforming Florida’s Justice System Sentencing reform. Charlie Crist will establish a blue ribbon commission to review Florida’s mandatory minimum criminal laws. He will support legislation (SB 1032) filed in 2021 that would authorize prisoners to earn rehabilitation credit for completion of a high school equivalency diploma, vocational certificate, drug treatment program, mental health treatment program, life skills program, behavioral modification program, reentry program, or equivalent rehabilitative program. The bill’s sponsors included Sen. Randolph Bracy, D-Orlando. Expanding conviction review units. Gov. Crist will provide financial assistance and encourage state attorneys in every circuit to form conviction review units like those in Hillsborough County and several urban Florida circuits. These offices work to prevent, identify and remedy wrongful convictions. Smaller jurisdictions could form regional review units. Improving data collection. To root out racial disparities in the criminal justice system, we need better data. In 2018, the Legislature overwhelmingly voted to approve the Criminal Justice Data Transparency Project. Three years later, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement has failed to deliver, and this state still does not have a publicly accessible website containing comprehensive criminal justice data. As governor, Crist will make it a top priority to ensure FDLE delivers so Floridians have a clear picture of the system and policymakers can better target reforms to ensure equal justice for all. Sentencing reform for juveniles. Charlie Crist will seek legislation vetoed by Gov. DeSantis this year that had broad bipartisan support (SB 274) and would have made tens of thousands of juveniles eligible to have their criminal record expunged if they took part in behavioral programs rather than serve prison time. The bill would expand current law, which only allows the expungement of misdemeanors for juveniles. The bill’s sponsors included Democratic Sens. Gary Farmer of Lighthouse Point and Annette Taddeo of Miami. Expanding civil citation programs for juveniles. Gov. Crist will expand civil citation programs for juveniles. While state law requires these programs in every circuit, their scope and success vary. Crist will seek legislation to make these programs consistent statewide and expand them to include all misdemeanors except for a handful, such as those involving firearms. Escambia County adopted this expansion this summer. This will result in better outcomes for youths statewide and save taxpayers money. Create a reentry program task force that would assess reentry programs across the state and compile a standard of best practices. Gov. Crist’s administration will provide incentives and grant opportunities for programs that follow the standards set forth by the task force.
Charlie Crist believes seniors play an essential role in communities throughout Florida and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Charlie is committed to fighting for affordable health care; lowering the costs of prescription drugs; safe, comfortable, and accessible housing; preserving Social Security and Medicare; and expanding opportunities for seniors to remain active in their communities. As governor, Charlie will continue to fight for seniors like he has his entire career. The Crist Administration will be ready on day one to:
Charlie’s commitment to supporting Florida’s seniors runs deep. As governor, he created the ‘’Florida Discount Drug Card’’ that helped thousands of Floridians save upwards of $6 million at thousands of pharmacies across the state. In Congress, Charlie has continued to work for seniors. He’s fought to give Medicare the authority to negotiate cheaper prices with drug companies, and for lowering the price of insulin to $10 a month. Charlie has blocked proposed cuts to Medicaid and Medicare and made sure seniors were included in stimulus payments. Charlie has fought to help seniors remain in their homes safely and is leading the charge to protect seniors and persons with disabilities from guardianship fraud and abuse. Charlie has called for inspections for aging condo buildings and continues to work to provide affordable options for costly condo special assessments for seniors on fixed incomes. As our next governor, Charlie will honor the “Golden Rule,” and fight for what’s right for Florida’s seniors. He’s done it before, and he’ll do it again. POLICY PROPOSALS Expand Medicaid
Lower Prescription Drug Costs
Empower Seniors to Live Safely and Comfortably
Support Seniors With Disabilities
Support Care Workers
Ensuring State Employees Get The Retirement They Earned
Across the Sunshine State, it has never cost more to be a Floridian. Housing prices continue to soar, making the dream of buying a home impossible for many families, while renters are getting slammed with record rents and sky-high increases. Premiums for property insurance and car insurance are reaching all-time highs alongside electric bills, with the Florida Public Service Commission in the pocket of big utilities and acting more like a lapdog than a watchdog. Meanwhile, both wages and the rate of wage growth in Florida are well below the national average. Governor Ron DeSantis hasn’t just ignored these issues — he’s made them worse. Florida has become unaffordable under this governor. He signed into law legislation that permanently cut the Sadowski Affordable Housing Trust Fund in half, and he made it harder and more expensive for homeowners to get property insurance. All while this governor takes giant campaign contributions from electric utilities, then watches quietly as the PSC rubber stamps their outrageous rate hikes. At every turn, Governor DeSantis sides with corporations over consumers, puts profits over people, and donors over Floridians. The result: an unaffordable Florida. Charlie Crist has a proven record of putting people first. As Governor, Charlie tackled the 2008 recession head first, pulling our state out of the financial crisis while fighting the insurance and utility giants. He demanded lower rates, and he appointed consumer-oriented regulators. In Congress, he has fought for housing affordability, access to capital for small businesses, a $15 minimum wage, the child care tax credit and stimulus checks to help people weather the covid pandemic. He’s spent his lifetime in public service taking on powerful special interests for the people. And when he’s elected, he’ll do it again. Charlie’s Affordable Florida Plan is a promise to all Floridians that as governor Charlie will:
POLICY PROPOSALS Part 1: UTILITIES
Part 2: Housing Affordability
Part 3: Property Insurance
Read more about Charlie’s plan to fix property insurance here.
THE SUNSHINE STATE SHOULD BE A NATIONAL LEADER IN SOLAR POWER Florida is blessed to be the Sunshine State. We should put our blessing, the abundance of sunshine, to good use to power Florida homes and businesses. Solar will lower electric bills, create jobs, protect small businesses, and fight climate change and sea level rise. Solar technology is constantly improving, with lower costs and improved efficiency. Across America, millions have made the switch to solar. Yet, the Sunshine State lags way behind our solar capacity, a problem driven by a lack of leadership and foresight on solar policy. With over 300 days of sunshine a year, Florida should lead the way — both in solar policy and outcomes. As governor, Charlie Crist will set a bold new goal for Florida, putting our state on a path to reach one million solar roofs. To achieve one million solar roofs, Charlie will take an all-of-the-above approach, with solar solutions for All Floridians.
This is a jobs plan that will create and support tens of thousands of solar-related jobs in Florida, including manufacturing and installation. HOW WE’LL GET SOLAR ON A MILLION FLORIDA ROOFS Protecting and Enhancing Solar Incentives
Supporting and Expanding Low-Cost Financing Options
“Solar for All” Low-Income Grants
Allowing Third-Party Ownership
Streamlining Permitting And Interconnection Standards
Instituting the Renewable Portfolio Standard and Efficiency Standards
Solar on State Buildings
Safer Neighborhoods, Safer Schools, Safer Florida After the tragedy in Parkland, students bravely pushed for legislative action to end gun violence. The actions and advocacy of those students led to major bipartisan improvements to gun safety in Florida. Raising the age to buy a gun, creating a waiting period for dealer purchases, and a red flag law that helps keep guns out of the hands of those who represent an extreme risk of violence, were all steps taken after Parkland. These actions were significant, but a lot of important work remains. Gun violence continues to threaten our schools, churches, synagogues, and communities. Communities of color are disproportionately impacted. It’s clear we have a lot more to do to protect Floridians. From the attack at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando to the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Floridians have had enough. There have been more than 100 mass shootings in Florida in the past four years. Majority-Black areas of Charlie’s hometown of St. Petersburg are suffering from a rash of gun violence. His friend, Chief Anthony Holloway, said it best: “The more these guns are on the street, the more harm they can do.” We owe it to our communities, the memories of those we’ve lost and those left behind, to learn from these tragedies and continue to improve our gun safety laws. Reasonable steps to prevent gun violence include extending background checks, preventing domestic abusers from access to firearms, limiting high capacity magazines and assault weapons, and funding locally driven violence prevention strategies. Thoughts are kind, and prayers are touching sentiments, but it’s time to honor victims and survivors of gun violence with action — which is exactly what our campaign’s “Safer Florida for All” plan will do. ASSAULT WEAPONS REDUCTION Banning The Sale Of Assault Weapons — Assault weapons are a semi-automatic firearm, based on high-powered military designs, designed to kill people quickly and efficiently. We’ve seen shooters use these battlefield weapons to murder hundreds in schools, theaters, concerts, churchs, and city schools. We must do more to protect Floridians from these often lethal weapons and pass common sense reform. ENFORCE GUN LAWS Background Checks — From Pulse to Parkland to Pensacola, our state has endured too many mass shootings caused by people who should not have been able to buy a gun in the first place. Right now federal law lets dangerous people, who are prohibited from purchasing or possessing guns, have easy access to guns from private parties without a background check. As governor, Charlie will work to close these dangerous loopholes and require universal background checks for gun sales. Crackdown on Ghost Guns — Florida has no laws concerning untraceable or undetectable firearms. Known as ghost guns they are used in crimes throughout the country. We should work to ban sales of partially finished receivers without a serial number, require serialization of those that are already in the community, and establish penalties for 3D-printed weapons. Crackdown On Gun Trafficking — As governor, Charlie will work to end gun trafficking by cracking down on straw purchases, corrupt gun dealers, gun thefts, and bulk gun purchases. Handguns bought in bulk purchase are dramatically, 64%, more likely to be used in a crime than a handgun bought in an individual purchase. Limiting buyers to one handgun purchase per month is a reasonable, straightforward, proven way to reduce gun trafficking and violence. Report Lost or Stolen Firearms — Florida law does not require gun owners to report theft or loss of their firearm. Stolen guns are often sold on the black market where they help fuel crime across the country. Reporting lost or stolen firearms to law enforcement would help reduce gun trafficking and crime. Reporting laws also help prevent prohibited persons — like career criminals, stalkers, and domestic abusers — from getting a gun. These laws also protect lawful and responsible gun owners from false allegations if a gun stolen from them is later found at the scene of a crime. NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY Locally Driven “Focused Deterrence” — If we want to end violence, we must instill hope and grow opportunity. Charlie will invest the state’s time and money in a comprehensive approach to reduce gun-related crime by improving neighborhoods through better social services, expanded affordable housing, better schools, more economic opportunities, and funding locally driven violence prevention strategies. Violence begets violence, creating a killing chain that continues without community intervention. As governor, Charlie will work with community leaders like local law enforcement, civic leaders, clergy, and social workers to implement a program of “focused deterrence.” Incredibly successful in cities throughout the country this model could save tens of thousands of lives in Florida. Charlie would work with civic leaders to make sure they have state-backed support with local solutions. This simple three-step model of focused deterrence has created major drops in gun-related crime and death in cities throughout the country. Tracking crime, involving the community, and following up with outreach programs is one of the best locally focused solutions to reduce gun violence.
Strengthen Red Flag Laws — After the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Florida passed a red flag law. This law creates a process for civil courts, after petitioning from law enforcement, to issue an Extreme Risk Protection Order that temporarily suspends firearm access if the civil court determines there is ample evidence that a person is at extreme risk of significant violence in the immediate future. Law enforcement officers and agencies can file a petition for an Extreme Risk Protection Order when a person “poses a significant danger of causing personal injury to himself or herself or others by having a firearm or any ammunition in his or her custody or control or by purchasing, possessing, or receiving a firearm or any ammunition.” In countless instances friends or family noticed warning signs that those closest to them were at extreme risk of harming themselves or others. Right now in Florida only law enforcement can petition for an extreme risk protection order. As governor, we would work toward allowing family and household members, as those that know them best and see the earliest signs, to also petition the courts. This simple step would save lives. We would also work for funding statewide officer training in use of these red flag laws instead of placing that burden on local departments as it is now. Strengthen firearm safe storage law — Kids throughout the country are killed by mishandled firearms every year. Children shot accidentally — almost always by other children — is all the more crushing because they’re often preventable. Currently, Florida law calls for the proper and safe storage of a loaded gun if the owner could reasonably assume a child could have access. While this law is a step in the right direction, as governor, Charlie will work to pass additional child access prevention laws — like storing ammunition and firearms separately and requiring safe storage of an unloaded weapon — to stop these devastating and accidental deaths. Keeping firearms away from children is a reasonable step that would dramatically reduce death and injury that every responsible gun owner is already doing. Deny Guns To Domestic Abusers — Every fourteen hours a woman is shot and killed by her partner. An abusive partner’s access to a gun can mean the difference between life and death. A woman is five times more likely to be murdered if an abusive partner has access to a gun, nearly five million women report a partner has threatened them with a firearm, and another million report having been shot. We must put a stop to this. As governor, Charlie will work to limit stalkers and abusers access to firearms. Federal law prevents convicted domestic abusers from firearm access but only applies to current or former spouses, if the couple is living or lived together, or if they share a child together. As governor, Charlie will work to broaden firearm prohibition to those convicted of misdemeanor stalking crimes or convicted of domestic violence of someone they aren’t married to. We can save lives and stop guns from being used to intimidate, coerce, and abuse. Let Cities Make Decisions About What’s Best For Them — We should repeal Tallahassee’s Community Safety Pre-Emption that takes control away from communities that know their own neighborhoods best. What works best in Liberty County may not work best in Broward. We should let people have local control, not put all the power in Tallahassee, and let them make the decisions that are best for them, their families and neighborhoods. Lengthen Waiting Period — Lengthening the waiting period from three to five days would help decrease impulsive violence and suicide. It would also allow law enforcement a longer time to complete background checks. SUPPORT SURVIVORS AND FAMILIES Establish The Mass Shooting Emergency Response Fund — Floridians join together to lift up survivors and family members of victims, Our state should too. Establishing a mass shooting emergency response fund could assist with hospital bills and funerals, and ongoing mental health treatment. Survivors need to focus on healing — not worry about GoFundMe. Bring Caseworkers To Help Survivors Access Services — Survivors should have easy access to services, like victim’s compensation, healthcare, and disability. Too often, law enforcement has to shoulder the burden of helping survivors and families navigate services they may be eligible for. In order to better care for survivors, the State of Florida should surge knowledgeable caseworkers to the community following a mass shooting. Establish An Office of Gun Violence Prevention — As governor, Charlie will work to create an Office of Gun Violence Prevention and appoint a Director to be a tireless advocate for making Florida a safer place, while protecting Floridians’ 2nd Amendment rights.
Every Floridian should be treated fairly and with dignity. That means providing reasonable accommodations in employment, housing, transportation, communication, health services, voting, and recreation. It also means supporting families, not ignoring their needs or sweeping them under the rug as the DeSantis Administration has done. As Governor, Charlie created the Governor’s Commission on Disabilities so that Florida’s disability community would have a seat at the table during his Administration. In Congress, he has a solid record of fighting to better serve the disability community. When elected Governor again, he has a comprehensive plan to deliver better care with dignity and equal access Policy Toplines Better Care
Dignity And Equal Access
Record Of Fighting For People With Disabilities
Charlie Crist’s plan to improve pre-K through 12 public education Topline: As Florida’s last elected Commissioner of Education, Charlie will be a governor who guarantees a world class education for every Florida student. Just as he did when he was your Education Commissioner and your Governor, Charlie is going to put education first and invest in our children’s future. As Governor, Charlie will:
Charlie’s “Freedom to Learn” plan will put educating Florida’s children first. Charlie’s Plan Will:
More on the Freedom to Learn Plan: Creates great classrooms. Ending teacher and non-instructional staff shortage emergency.
Raising teacher and non-instructional staff pay, both starting and overall average.
Increase health care options
Qualify teachers for special risk retirement.
Increase investment in per-student spending.
Getting politics out of our schools.
Creating safe classrooms.
Delivers great outcomes for students. Making up for the learning loss.
Renewed commitment to Exceptional Student Education
Expanding VPK (voluntary pre-kindergarten) to 3-year-olds.
Enhancing partnerships with Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and community college dual credit, so Florida’s college-bound students can start with a leg up.
Increasing and improving career, technical, and entrepreneurial (CTE) training and apprenticeships.
Under Ron DeSantis, Floridians are facing one of the worst affordability crises our state has ever experienced. Gov. DeSantis has been letting Wall Street run amok through Florida neighborhoods, and it’s because of his failure to lead that more Floridians have been paying more and more to live in the communities they’ve spent their whole lives in. It’s just wrong. Charlie Crist won’t stand idly by as Floridians get squeezed out of their communities and the state they have always called home. Back in January, Charlie was the first to release an Affordable Florida plan to tackle housing affordability by fully funding the Sadowski Trust Fund, expanding down payment assistance programs, and appointing a Housing Czar who will report directly to the governor and support the work of local governments to innovate and meet broad housing affordability goals — but as folks continue to be priced out of their homes Charlie is ready to do more. That’s why Charlie is proposing a 3-point plan to crack down on the Wall Street practices that are hurting Floridians and driving housing prices to unaffordable levels. Wall Street-backed firms are undermining homeownership, especially in predominantly Black and Hispanic communities in cities and states with weak tenant protections, by buying up single-family homes with all cash offers and converting them to rental properties that price locals out of their own neighborhoods. These firms have been accused of abusing tenants and holding back inventory, constraining supply and further driving up prices for their own gain while Floridians suffer. Wall Street has also stripped homeownership wealth — that would otherwise be generated for middle-class and working Americans — but is now being scraped out of Black and Hispanic neighborhoods and delivered to shareholders. And Governor Ron DeSantis hasn’t done a single thing to fix this crisis. Floridians need leadership now more than ever. That’s why Charlie’s Wall Street Crackdown Plan is about empowering local governments and enforcing reasonable measures that ensure housing gets into the hands of Floridians — not Wall Street firms looking to make a quick buck. Charlie’s 3-point plan will:
Charlie’s message to Wall Street firms is clear — once he’s elected Florida’s governor, they won’t get away with buying up Florida.
CHARLIE WILL FIGHT FOR EQUALITY AND FAIRNESS Charlie believes we are all children of God, and as such, we all deserve to be treated fairly and with dignity. Apparently, Governor DeSantis has forgotten the Golden Rule – treat others as you would like to be treated – as he bullies LGBTQ+ Floridians, even children! Charlie is a proud ally of the LGBTQ+ community across Florida and the country. As governor, Charlie will deliver Equality for All LGBTQ+ Floridians, so they can have the freedom to live and work in the Sunshine State, free from discrimination and hate. CHARLIE’S EQUALITY FOR ALL PLAN WILL:
My message to LGBTQ youth of our state is this. Your existence is never inappropriate. CHARLIE’S RECORD OF FIGHTING FOR THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY: In 2000, as commissioner of education, Charlie Crist was the first statewide elected official to support an anti-bullying bill that specifically included protections for LGBT students, and he refused to back down in the face of criticism from within Republican leadership. As governor, Crist ended his support of Florida’s notorious anti-gay adoption ban and pledged to help dismantle it. When a Miami judge ruled the ban violated basic rights and harmed children by denying them the security of a forever family, Crist refused to appeal the decision and ordered the Department of Children and Families to stop enforcement of the ban that same day, paving the way for adoptions to take place immediately. Charlie has worked hand in hand with the community in Congress as a Vice Chair of the Congressional LGBTQ Equality Caucus and is lead cosponsor of the Equality Act. Charlie is proud to support legislation to fight HIV criminalization and ban the form of child abuse commonly known as “conversion therapy.” Charlie took on the Pentagon over Trump’s trans ban and battled with HUD Secretary Ben Carson for discriminating against homeless trans women. Charlie was the first elected official of either party to call on the Biden Administration to take stronger action on Monkeypox. Charlie is proud to have earned the endorsement of Florida Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, the first openly gay Latino elected official, and Sen. Shevrin Jones, the first openly gay Florida state senator, and to have a 100% Rating from the Human Rights Campaign.
CHARLIE CRIST WILL SHOW UP FOR US It’s no secret why Black Floridians are supporting Charlie Crist. To quote the Honorable Sean Shaw, Senator Shevrin Jones, the Honorable Arthenia Joyner, and Senator Bobby Powell, “when Black Floridians need a helping hand, or a seat at the table, or an equal opportunity to build successful careers, Charlie Crist has been there.” DeSantis doesn’t share those priorities. His policies have benefitted corporations and the folks at the very top and left everyone else out to dry. Black Floridians are hurting, and Charlie has a plan to help. As governor, Charlie will fight for our businesses, our neighborhoods, our rights, our children, and our health care: OUR BUSINESSES
OUR NEIGHBORHOODS
OUR RIGHTS
OUR CHILDREN
OUR HEALTH CARE
With beautiful beaches, scenic cities, and great people, Florida should be a worldwide destination for feature film and television production. Charlie knows that film and television are drivers in Florida’s economy, and that industry and government can work together to boost Florida’s economy, create good paying jobs for Floridians, and promote tourism. When Charlie was governor, Florida ranked third in the nation for film production. Under Governor DeSantis, Florida isn’t even in the top 20. DeSantis has failed Florida, failed Florida’s economy, and failed Florida’s film industry. Despite signing into law Florida’s largest budget ever, DeSantis failed to support Florida’s film industry and pushed billions of dollars away from Florida’s economy into nearby states. Even Republican legislators urged DeSantis to invest in Florida’s film industry to create new jobs and boost our economy, but he refused, ignoring a critical Florida industry. As governor, Charlie will make Florida a thriving center for film and bring hundreds of thousands of jobs to the Sunshine State, boosting Florida’s economy and expanding Florida’s tourism industry. THE COST OF DESANTIS FAILED LEADERSHIP The cost of DeSantis’s failed leadership is stark. Florida lost:
The loss of these jobs is even more devastating when you consider that professionals in the Film, Entertainment and Digital Media Industry make on average $85,000 per year, which is 62% higher than the average wage of all industries in Florida. ENTERTAINMENT FLORIDA Charlie’s “Entertainment Florida” platform will:
BENEFITS OF A STRONG FLORIDA FILM INDUSTRY Thousands of Florida businesses and residents will gain, directly and indirectly, from the revival of Florida’s film and television industry through high paying jobs, lucrative contracts, and use of Florida’s tourism and lodging industry. Florida’s job market, hotels, restaurants, and production-related businesses will also feel the ripple of billions flooding into Florida’s economy as cast and crew travel the state. Some of the industries impacted by this economic activity include:
Graduates from Florida’s 30+ college and university film and digital media programs will have expanded opportunities for Florida-based jobs. With a renewed film and television industry, Florida graduates from nationally leading Film, Movie and Digital Media programs will be able to stay, work, and contribute to Florida’s economy. Because of DeSantis, too many Floridians have to go to Georgia or other states to find industry jobs. Florida’s tourism industry will benefit from world-class films showcasing Florida’s natural beauty and allure. Increasing Florida film production increases tourism for Florida, just like it did for:
Charlie Crist’s Plan to Fight for Lower Energy Costs CHEAPER POWER BILLS, MORE JOBS, AND ENERGY SECURITY
Floridians are facing rising power bills and unsustainable gas prices at the pump. Addressing these challenges means expanding the use of cheaper, cleaner energy while reducing our dependance on expensive, dirty fossil fuels. As governor from 2007-2011, Charlie Crist made Florida a leader in clean energy – setting renewable energy goals, moving the needle on utility energy efficiency programs, and implementing a policy on net metering to spur the solar industry, all while standing up to big power companies’ rate increases. When he becomes governor in January, Charlie will go all in, leveraging the new Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to transition Florida’s power generation to cheaper, more reliable clean energy and make it easier for you to save money. He will also press utilities to offer meaningful energy efficiency programs and deliver on his goal of 1 million solar roofs. This will increase our energy security and independence, lower electricity bills, make our air and water cleaner, and better protect our state against severe weather and flooding. As governor, Charlie will:
Florida is home to twenty bases with every branch of the military represented. Over a million veterans who served their country live here, along with millions of military family members. In Congress, the first bill Charlie Crist got signed into law was his Veteran Treatment Court Coordination Act to expand and support vet courts making sure veterans in trouble get the help they need instead of jail time. Charlie has always been on the side of our servicemembers and veterans, that’s why Charlie wants Florida to be the number 1 state in the union for our and their families. Charlie’s “Veterans for Crist” plan is a promise that as governor, Charlie will deliver for Florida veterans by fighting to:
LOWER THE COST OF LIVING FOR VETERANS Lowering Property Taxes As governor, Charlie will work to pass legislation that lowers property taxes for veterans. Charlie will fight to have the state pay property taxes for veterans who are 70% or more disabled, with a sliding scale down to 30%. Free Tolls As governor, Charlie will fight to make toll roads completely free for veterans. Just send your Department of Veteran Affairs registration to SunPass, and Florida will take care of your tolls. END VETERAN HOMELESSNESS As governor, Charlie will work tirelessly to get every single veteran without a home into housing in Florida. Charlie will bring together federal and state resources and work alongside non-profits to find veterans in need of homes and veterans on housing waiting lists and work to quickly connect them to permanent and affordable housing. Fully Fund The Sadowski Trust Fund As governor, Charlie will restore funding to the affordable housing trust fund and veto any budget that fails to do so, without raising taxes. That means another $200 million a year for down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers, repairs of older homes, and construction of affordable houses. More and Bigger HUD VASH Units To meet the existing need, Charlie will incentivize development of residential buildings with dedicated set-aside units for HUD-VASH vouchers. At least half of the veteran units will include two or more bedrooms to keep families together. Improve Down Payment Assistance Programs Charlie will strengthen existing homeownership programs like Hometown Heroes by making down payment assistance forgivable for veterans. Many of Florida’s down payment and closing cost assistance programs require immediate repayment upon sale, moving, or refinancing. For properties like mobile homes that do not appreciate as quickly or for permanent change of station, you could be left footing the bill. We should do better by those who serve. Empower Local Governments Charlie will appoint a Housing Czar who will report directly to the governor and be empowered to support the work of local governments to innovate and meet broad veteran housing affordability goals, while respecting the unique local differences in communities throughout our state. It should be easier, not harder, for local governments to add housing for veterans. ENHANCE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND EXPAND VET COURTS Expanding Medicaid Charlie will fight for Medicaid expansion because veterans shouldn’t have to worry about going bankrupt when they’re sick. He knows that Medicaid expansion will save lives, lower premiums for everyone, keep tax dollars in our state, create jobs, grow the economy, keep rural hospitals open, and help more Florida veterans get the care they deserve. Charlie will veto any budget that does not include Medicaid expansion. Legalize Marijuana and Fight Opioid Addiction Congressman Crist will legalize marijuana in Florida and expunge all non-violent convictions. He will continue to lead in preventing discrimination in hiring for federal employees who use marijuana consistent with state law. Expanding Medicaid will free up State Opioid Block Grant funding, which he will use to increase access to mental health and substance abuse treatment for veterans. Truthful Suicide Data Charlie will make sure state medical examiners determine the veteran status of a person who died by suicide. Currently, medical examiners only check with the VA to see if someone is a veteran, even though over half of veterans do not go to the VA. Medical examiners should also be checking with VSOs and veteran community leaders, especially for veterans who were in crisis. It will be the first time in Florida history that we will have an accurate count of the veterans who die by suicide. You cannot fix something if you do not know the full extent of the problem. Charlie has been calling on DeSantis to make this change, and as governor, he will get it done. Expand Veterans Treatment Courts Florida’s successful vet courts connect veterans with appropriate treatment like outpatient and residential substance abuse treatment, transitional housing, job training, and care for service-connected injuries like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Military Sexual Trauma. When President Trump signed Charlie’s Veteran Treatment Court Coordination Act into law, it opened the door to create and support vet courts throughout Florida, and as governor, Charlie will draw down maximum funds so every Florida veteran can benefit from a hand up when they need it. ASSIST THE VA IN GETTING VETERANS WHAT THEY DESERVE More Doctors in Florida As governor, Charlie will recruit more doctors, nurses, and specialists to come to our Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Centers and get more veterans the care and prompt medical attention they deserve. With our beautiful weather, low taxes, environment, and quality of life, Florida should be the destination for medical professionals to work in the VA, and Charlie will work to fill these available jobs with vigor. Support Veteran Law Centers As governor, Charlie will work with the Department of Veterans Affairs and provide state funds to assist with the establishment and expansion of Veteran Law Centers within Florida’s law schools modeled on the success of programs like the Stetson Veterans Law Center.
Ron DeSantis is the worst property insurance governor in Florida history. Under his failed leadership annual premiums have more than doubled, rising from $1,900 to more than $4,200. For the average Floridian, that is an additional tax of more than $2,200 per year. Floridians now pay the highest property insurance rates in the country, almost triple the national average. It’s not just owners of single-family homes who are getting squeezed. Property insurance premiums for condominiums also have risen dramatically, driving up costs for condo owners.. Landlords’ out-of-control insurance rates also are contributing to the rent crisis plaguing Florida. Worse yet, insurers are taking your money and running! This year alone, six insurance companies have failed, more than 10 have left the state, and more than a dozen teetering companies are being propped up with smoke and mirrors paid for by Citizens’ customers. Hundreds of thousands of Floridians have been dropped by their insurer with thousands unable to find new coverage during hurricane season. DeSantis was finally bullied into calling a special session, but after insurance companies invested $3 million in the governor’s campaign, he gave them another $2 billion in taxpayer money– while completely failing to fix the problem. As Florida begins to rebuild, Gov. DeSantis shamefully turned to hurricane victims to help prop up his failing insurance market, telling hurricane victims to trust their insurance company. Share your story about how the DeSantis insurance disaster is impacting your family. Charlie Crist has always stood up to the insurance companies. When he was elected governor in 2006, the market was in turmoil after the devastating hurricanes of 2004 and 2005. Charlie called a special session in 2007 and worked with Democrats and Republicans to deliver solutions. The bipartisan reforms stabilized the market, held insurance companies accountable, and lowered rates 10%. Now, Charlie has a plan to do it again. Charlie’s 7-point plan would significantly lower rates and remind the insurance companies that they work for you – not the other way around. Independent experts describe Crist’s plan as “tremendous” and a “massive, quick, quick fix for the market.”
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—Charlie Crist's campaign website (2022)[125] |
Campaign finance summary
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Notable endorsements
This section displays endorsements this individual made in elections within Ballotpedia's coverage scope.
See also
2022 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ The Hill, "Biden taps Charlie Crist, ex-Florida governor, for UN agency role," June 7, 2023
- ↑ myfloridalegal.com, "Florida Attorneys General (1845 - Present)," accessed October 16, 2014
- ↑ Museum of Florida History, "Charlie Crist," accessed January 31, 2019
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
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- ↑ The Hill, "Crist launches bid for Florida governor, seeking to recapture his old job," May 4, 2021
- ↑ CBS News, "Charlie Crist selects Karla Hernandez as running mate," August 27, 2022
- ↑ South Florida Sun Sentinel, "Charlie Crist explains why he chose Karla Hernandez-Mats as his running mate at Hialeah rally," August 27, 2022
- ↑ United States Congressman Charlie Crist, "Crist announces resignation from Congress," August 31, 2022
- ↑ Charlie Crist for Governor 2014 Official campaign website, "About Charlie," accessed October 16, 2014
- ↑ Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, "CRIST, Charlie Joseph Jr., (1956 - )," accessed January 11, 2017
- ↑ U.S. House Clerk, ""Official Alphabetical List of the House of Representatives of the United States One Hundred Fifteenth Congress,"" accessed February 2, 2017
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.3684 - Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act," accessed April 15, 2022
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.1319 - American Rescue Plan Act of 2021," accessed April 15, 2022
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.5376 - Inflation Reduction Act of 2022," accessed January 20, 2023
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.3617 - Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act," accessed January 20, 2023
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.1 - For the People Act of 2021," accessed April 15, 2022
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.1808 - Assault Weapons Ban of 2022," accessed January 20, 2023
- ↑ Congress.gov, "S.1605 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022," accessed April 15, 2022
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.6 - American Dream and Promise Act of 2021," accessed April 15, 2022
- ↑ Congress.gov, "S.3373 - Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022," accessed January 20, 2023
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.4346 - Chips and Science Act," accessed January 20, 2023
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.3755 - Women's Health Protection Act of 2021," accessed April 15, 2022
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.1996 - SAFE Banking Act of 2021," accessed April 15, 2022
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.2471 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022," accessed January 20, 2023
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.5 - Equality Act," accessed April 15, 2022
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.7688 - Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act," accessed January 20, 2023
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.8 - Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021," accessed January 20, 2023
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.5746 - Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act," accessed January 20, 2023
- ↑ Congress.gov, "S.2938 - Bipartisan Safer Communities Act," accessed January 20, 2023
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.Res.24 - Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors.," accessed April 15, 2022
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.1044 - Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act of 2020," accessed March 22, 2024
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.6800 - The Heroes Act," accessed April 23, 2024
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.1 - For the People Act of 2019," accessed April 23, 2024
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.748 - CARES Act," accessed April 23, 2024
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.5 - Equality Act," accessed April 23, 2024
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.8 - Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019," accessed April 23, 2024
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.6 - American Dream and Promise Act of 2019," accessed April 27, 2024
- ↑ Congress.gov, "S.1790 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020," accessed April 27, 2024
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.6201 - Families First Coronavirus Response Act," accessed April 24, 2024
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.1994 - Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019," accessed April 27, 2024
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.3 - Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act," accessed March 22, 2024
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.1865 - Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020," accessed April 27, 2024
- ↑ Congress.gov, "S.1838 - Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019," accessed April 27, 2024
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.3884 - MORE Act of 2020," accessed April 27, 2024
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.6074 - Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020," accessed April 27, 2024
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.J.Res.31 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019," accessed April 27, 2024
- ↑ Congress.gov, "S.47 - John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act," accessed April 27, 2024
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.6395 - William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021," accessed April 27, 2024
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.6395 - William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021," accessed April 27, 2024
- ↑ Congress.gov, "S.24 - Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019," accessed April 27, 2024
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.Res.755 - Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors," accessed April 27, 2024
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.Res.755 - Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors," accessed April 27, 2024
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 434," accessed December 13, 2018
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 284," June 21, 2018
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 282," June 21, 2018
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 434," accessed March 12, 2019
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 549," October 3, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 344," June 29, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 342," June 29, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 256," May 4, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 405," September 26, 2018
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 399," September 13, 2018
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 313," June 28, 2018
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 257," June 8, 2018
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 216," May 22, 2018
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 127," March 22, 2018
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 69," February 9, 2018
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 60," February 6, 2018
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 44," January 22, 2018
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 33," January 18, 2018
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 708," December 21, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 692," December 19, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 670," December 7, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 637," November 16, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 589," October 26, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 557," October 5, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 528," September 14, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 480," September 8, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 441," September 6, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 299," June 8, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 249," May 3, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 230," May 24, 2018
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 49," January 30, 2018
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 631," November 14, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 435," July 27, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 413," July 25, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 437," July 28, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 407," July 24, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 378," July 14, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 136," March 8, 2017
- ↑ Tampa Bay Times, "Former Pentagon official challenging David Jolly," April 7, 2015
- ↑ Daily KOS, "Morning Digest: A new round of Florida redistricting has Charlie Crist eyeing a House bid," July 13, 2015
- ↑ Roll Call, "Crist Announces Florida House Bid," October 20, 2015
- ↑ The Tampa Bay Times, "David Jolly poised to drop out of Senate race today," June 17, 2016
- ↑ Florida Department of State, "Candidate Listing for 2016 General Election," accessed June 25, 2016
- ↑ Politico, " Florida House Races Results," August 30, 2016
- ↑ 97.0 97.1 The Sun Sentinel, "Charlie Christ Announces Candidacy For Florida's Governor, As A Democrat," November 4, 2013
- ↑ The Daily Caller, "Charlie Crist briefly visits with Democratic Governors Association," January 9, 2013
- ↑ The Hill, "Charlie Crist joins Democratic party ahead of gubernatorial election," December 8, 2012
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
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- ↑ The Orlando Sentinel, "Democrat Charlie Crist turns to South Florida for a running mate," July 17, 2014
- ↑ University of Virginia Center for Politics: Larry Sabato's Crystal Ball, "2013-2014 Gubernatorial Races," April 29, 2013
- ↑ The Washington Post, "The Fix's top gubernatorial races," September 27, 2013
- ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections gubernatorial race ratings: Initial ratings for 2013-14," October 6, 2013
- ↑ Governing, "2014 Governors Races," September 10, 2014
- ↑ The Cook Political Report, "Governors Race Ratings 2014," September 15, 2014
- ↑ The New York Times, "2014 Florida Election Results," accessed November 5, 2014
- ↑ 108.0 108.1 Education Week, "School Spending Under Spotlight in Florida Gubernatorial Race," August 25, 2014
- ↑ Charlie Crist for Governor, "Education," accessed October 13, 2014
- ↑ The Miami Herald, "Marc Caputo: With $50 million in TV ad spending, Rick Scott-Charlie Crist race is one big marketing campaign," September 23, 2014
- ↑ Politico, "Ex-GOP Fla. Gov. Charlie Crist to run for job as Democrat," November 1, 2013
- ↑ The Daily Caller, "Charlie Crist briefly visits with Democratic Governors Association," January 9, 2013
- ↑ The Hill, "Charlie Crist joins Democratic party ahead of gubernatorial election," December 8, 2012
- ↑ Florida Division of Elections, "Candidate Listing for 2014 General Election - Governor," accessed October 7, 2013
- ↑ Florida Division of Elections, "Candidate Listing for 2014 General Election - Governor," accessed July 22, 2014
- ↑ Nan Rich for Governor 2014 Official campaign website, "Press release: Statement from Senator Nan Rich regarding Charlie Crist’s selection of a potential running mate," July 17, 2014 (dead link)
- ↑ My Florida - Election Watch, "2014 Primary, Unofficial Election Night Results," accessed August 26, 2014
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ Seattle Times, "Fla. Candidate Snubs Bush; White House irked" November 6, 2006
- ↑ Anything but straight Falls Church News-Press, July 13, 2006
- ↑ The Miami Herald, "Religious Tolerance is Booed loudly," July 13, 2006 (dead link)
- ↑ The Miami Herald, "Crist dumps preacher who ranted on Islam," September 23, 2006
- ↑ The Bradenton Herald, "Pastor appointed by Bush won't apologize for remarks on Islam," July 11, 2006
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Charlie Crist for Governor, “Issues,” accessed October 14, 2022
Political offices | ||
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Preceded by David Jolly (R) |
U.S. House Florida District 13 2017-2022 |
Succeeded by Anna Paulina Luna (R) |
Preceded by - |
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Succeeded by - |
Preceded by - |
Attorney General of Florida 2003-2007 |
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Preceded by - |
Florida Commissioner of Education 2001-2003 |
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