In a video circulated across social media sites, Florida Congressman Charlie Crist (D-FL-13) referred to supporters of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) as “toothless.” Crist is trying to outlast other Democrat candidates for the 2022 Florida gubernatorial nomination to eventually face off against DeSantis in the November general election.
In the video, Crist is speaking at an event and says DeSantis is trying to score “political points.”
“Ron DeSantis is trying to score political points with the red-meat, hard-right, toothless crowd,” Crist said.
This is how you lose Florida for the 4th time: by mocking voters. pic.twitter.com/AOOLFijw82
— Keith Edwards (@keithedwards) April 25, 2022
The video was not pushed out by conservative political pundits, but by Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried’s (D) communications director Keith Edwards.
Edwards said, “This is how you lose Florida for the 4th time: by mocking voters.”
The attempt to slight Crist is likely due to Fried’s low polling numbers, low event turnouts, and the inability to catch DeSantis or Crist in political fundraising.
DeSantis’ press secretary Christina Pushaw tweeted out an image of a “tale of two press conferences,” comparing DeSantis and Fried. In the image, DeSantis held a packed-out press conference while Fried’s event showed a handful of individuals.
A tale of 2 press conferences today. pic.twitter.com/1Vs91S1Qoq
— Christina Pushaw 🐊 🇺🇸 (@ChristinaPushaw) April 14, 2022
Fried subsequently canceled stops on her trip through the Florida Panhandle, claiming protestors were the cause of the schedule change.
“Due to anticipated protests and demonstrators, the event at 2 p.m. has been canceled due to the concern for the candidate’s safety,” the Santa Rosa County Democratic Executive Committee said.
UPDATE: After the excitement of the rally earlier, she canceled the rest of her campaign stops today pic.twitter.com/9lbiXsk3X0
— Christina Pushaw 🐊 🇺🇸 (@ChristinaPushaw) April 14, 2022
One day after the events were canceled, Fried tweeted out that “there is no sex tape,” launching critics to point out that no one had ever speculated that a tape had been released to the public.
“It’s absurd that I have to dignify this, but there is no sex tape,” Fried tweeted. “Sorry to disappoint. Also sorry basically every successful woman has to deal with these types of rumors.”
It’s absurd that I have to dignify this, but there is no sex tape. Sorry to disappoint. Also sorry basically every successful woman has to deal with these types of rumors.
— Nikki Fried (@NikkiFried) April 15, 2022
Fried declined to comment further about what she meant but drew comparisons to the Jussie Smollett hate crime hoax in order to garner attention.
Recent polls have shown that DeSantis has a healthy lead, notably double-digit leads, over both Democrats in a hypothetical head-to-head matchup. Additionally, a majority of Floridians and Americans support DeSantis’ policies, namely the Parental Rights in Education bill.
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Grant Holcomb is a reporter at The Florida Capital Star and The Star News Network. Follow Grant on Twitter and direct message tips.
Photo “Charlie Crist” by Charlie Crist.
