Ron DeSantis and Charlie Crist facing off in Florida’s sole gubernatorial debate: Live updates
On Monday night, in Fort Pierce, Florida, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and Democratic challenger Charlie Crist are going head-to-head in their only televised debate before election night.
Crist, Florida’s former governor from 2007 to 2011, previously served the Sunshine State as a Republican but switched to the Democratic Party in 2012. Since 2017, he’s represented the St. Petersburg area in the U.S. House. He’s facing an uphill battle against DeSantis, who has been dominating national headlines as he appears to be preparing a 2024 presidential bid as a successor to former President Trump.
Crist has been consistently trailing behind DeSantis in polling, which means Monday night’s debate will be one of Crist’s best shots at closing the gap. DeSantis currently has a sizeable 11 percentage point lead over Crist at 52%-41%, according to a Mason-Dixon poll released earlier this month.
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Crist says he does not want to ban abortion
Crist said DeSantis wouldn’t answer the question about completely banning abortion.
The Democratic congressman added that he does not want to ban abortion and wants to make sure a woman’s right to choose is available in the state of Florida.
Crist added that he wants to make sure any abortion law allows exceptions for rape and incest.
– Rachel Looker
DeSantis calls into question Crist’s honesty on abortion
DeSantis, defending himself against Crist’s criticism of his views on abortion, questioned Crist’s pro-abortion right viewpoints, citing his previous anti-abortion viewpoints as a former Republican.
“Is this an honest change of heart? Or is this a guy that’s going to ship with whatever he needs to try to keep his political career alive?,” DeSantis said. “I think we all know the answer to that question.”
– Ken Tran
Crist: ‘I’m a uniter’ as DeSantis invoke culture wars
“There you go again, Ron. It’s all about culture wars,” Crist said to DeSantis before accusing him of always trying to be divisive as DeSantis brings up culture wars, which has been a influential factor in pushing legislation mainly affecting schools, including book bans.
“I’m a uniter. I think we need to give our state a chance to unite again,” Crist said.
– Sarah Elbeshbishi
DeSantis expresses opposition to COVID-19 vaccine mandate in schools
DeSantis, turning back to education, made clear he opposed any fashion of a COVID vaccine mandate in public schools.
He accused Crist of wanting “to force students to get the COVID shot.”
“I think it’s wrong to force this on these kids,” said DeSantis, championing himself as a guardian of parental rights. “As long as I’m governor, as parents, you’re going to have the ability to make that decision.”
– Ken Tran
Crist says he prioritized teacher pay
Crist claimed when he was governor (2007-11), he prioritized teacher pay and paid teachers more per dollar than DeSantis is now. He added that when he was governor, there was a recession, but now DeSantis has a budget surplus.
“That’s how you need to lead. You need to lead by uniting people, not dividing them,” he said. “He talks about dividing us all night long. It’s what he does. It’s who you are. It’s what he’s about.”
– Rachel Looker
Crist: Schools are not teaching hate
Crist said DeSantis keeps going back to radical comments that “have nothing to do with reality” regarding what is being taught in schools. He said DeSantis thinks they are teaching these concepts in other schools in other states.
“This is Florida. You’re the governor of Florida right now,” Crist said. “ You don’t even say if you want to be the governor of Florida after this election, but you are right now and you need to be focused on what’s happening in our schools.”
He added that Florida schools are not teaching hate, but claimed the current governor does not respect teachers.
– Rachel Looker
Crist on teacher shortage: ‘Money does help’
On the nationwide teacher shortage and specifically, in Florida, Crist called for more investment in education to entice potential teachers to the field.
“Money does help,” said Crist, turning the question to DeSantis and the state’s $22 billion budget surplus, “He’s got a budget surplus. Why can’t you treat teachers better than that? That doesn’t make sense.”
– Ken Tran
Crist asks DeSantis whether he’ll serve the full term as governor if elected
Crist asked DeSantis to look at the voters in the audience and say whether he’ll serve a “full four year term as governor. Yes or no?”
After no answer, Crist pressed DeSantis: “Will you serve a full four year term if you’re reelected governor of Florida?”
DeSantis remained silent.
– Sarah Elbeshbishi
DeSantis defines divisiveness
DeSantis said he thinks denying girls and women athletes the right to compete fairly is divisive, he said, adding that it’s divisive to take away opportunities from girls in Florida.
He was referring to policies that allow males transitioning to females to compete athletically against girls.
He added that Crist previously said anyone who casts a ballot in support of the current governor “has hate in their heart.”
DeSantis then went on to say he is endorsed by police groups, firefighters, truckers and the farm bureau.
“The whole cross section of the state of Florida is backing me. They do not have hate in their hearts because they reject Charlie Crist, they want to keep Florida and they want to keep Florida free,” he said.
– Rachel Looker
Crist hits DeSantis over teaching race issue in schools
Crist hit DeSantis over his attacks on “critical race theory,” saying it amounts to an effort to stop teaching any aspects of the nation’s troubled racial history.
“We need to apply common sense,” Crist said. “We need to do what’s right.”
– David Jackson
DeSantis: Schools shouldn’t ‘scapegoat’ on skin color
On discussions of race and history in the United States, DeSantis agreed that schools should teach “all of American history, including slavery, civil rights, segregation, it’s important that that’s taught.”
But, DeSantis argued, schools shouldn’t “scapegoat students based on skin color,” echoing Republican sentiments on the alleged teaching of critical race theory in public schools.
“We’re proud of our history. I don’t want to teach kids to hate our country,” said DeSantis.
– Ken Tran
DeSantis defends ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law
The governor defended education policies that have drawn controversy, including the law that forbids elementary school teachers from discussing gender issues with children – the “Don’t Say Gay” bill – as well as bans on males in girls’ sports.
DeSantis sought to turn these issues on Crist, saying “you are the one waging the culture war.”
– David Jackson
DeSantis jabs at Crist for ‘hiding out in Puerto Rico’
The Florida governor countered Crist on Hurricane Ian and rebuilding the coast, saying he was proud of the state’s response, in conducting rescues and getting the electricity back for Floridians.
DeSantis continued to list the things the state were able to do for its people before attacking Crist for “hiding out in Puerto Rico.”
– Sarah Elbeshbishi
Crist, DeSantis resort to name calling
In his response to whether he would serve a full four-year term if reelected governor, DeSantis replied that he knows Crist is interested in talking about 2024 and President Biden, but said, “the only worn-out old donkey I’m looking to put out to pasture is Charlie Christ.”
DeSantis went on to say when Crist previously ran for governor, he ran saying he would not raise taxes but then did once elected.
“We know you love to bully people and the little name calling you just exchanged, I can take it,” Crist said in his response. “But you shouldn’t do it when students are standing behind you at a press conference and they’re wearing a mask.”
– Rachel Looker
Crist blasts DeSantis on teacher pay
On education, Crist criticized DeSantis for the state’s low ranking in teacher salaries across the nation, citing a statistic that Florida is ranked 48th when it comes to pay for teachers.
“We need to focus on education and not politicize and make political warzones out of our schools,” said Crist, directly referring to DeSantis’ culture wars waged on discussion of sexual identity and gender in schools.
– Ken Tran
DeSantis defends Hurricane Ian response in Tampa
Hitting back at Crist who claimed DeSantis “ignored science,” DeSantis defended his response, saying Crist was trying to “politicize” Hurricane Ian.
“The models had shifted into Sarasota, all the folks in southwest Florida were activated,” said DeSantis, applauding local community response. “I stand by every one of our local counties. They stood up and they made the best decisions.”
– Ken Tran
DeSantis hammers Crist – and Biden – over inflation
DeSantis again linked Crist to Biden by citing the high inflation rate that is hurting Floridians.
The governor proposed state tax relief as a way to take the pressure off Floridians.
Crist counter-attacks by saying DeSantis is more interested in running for president against Biden – and DeSantis, pressed by Crist, would not say whether he would serve all four years if he is re-elected governor.
– David Jackson
Crist: DeSantis ‘ignored science’
Crist said in his rebuttal whether dealing with COVID or the hurricane, DeSantis ignored science. He thinks he knows better than everybody, Crist said.
He went on to add that DeSantis thinks he’s the only one who has the right answer, citing DeSantis’s positions on banning books and usurping local school boards.
“You have to apply science and do what’s right for the people and protect them,” Crist said.
– Rachel Looker
Crist: Florida is the ‘most expensive state to live in’
Crist says that Florida is the most expensive state to live in according to Forbes magazine, noting that the cost of living have only increased under DeSantis while it went down under him when he served as Florida’s governor.
Crist highlighted that property insurance doubled under DeSantis and has only gotten worse due to Hurricane Ian. Crist also tied the rising cost of gas to DeSantis, saying that gas prices increased under DeSantis’ leadership.
– Sarah Elbeshbishi
Crist hits DeSantis over hurricane preparation
Crist went after DeSantis on storm preparation, saying the state was ill-prepared for Hurricane Ian and that the governor attended a football game as it approached instead of safeguarding the state.
Too many people were not evacuated and buildings on the coast were too vulnerable to the storm, Crist said.
DeSantis said electricity and roads were restored in record time, even though Crist was out of the state in Puerto Rico.
– David Jackson
DeSantis claims Crist’s homeowners insurance plan would ‘capsize’ Florida
DeSantis blamed rising fuel and natural gas prices on Biden, Crist and the Cemocrats running Congress.
“They are waging war on American energy, they are not producing what we need to do,” DeSantis said.
He added that Crist’s plan for homeowners insurance is to chase private insurers out, saying this would “end up capsizing the state of Florida if there was a real storm.”
– Rachel Looker
Crist blames DeSantis for property insurance crisis
Crist, in his rebuttal to DeSantis, blamed the incumbent governor for the state’s freefalling property insurance industry.
“He’s talking about our economy. He’s talking about property insurance,” said Crist. “And everyone knows your property insurance is up under him.”
– Ken Tran
DeSantis and Crist joust over property insurance
The candidates argued about what to do regarding the rising costs of property insurance, a big issue in hurricane-ravaged Florida.
DeSantis blamed the Biden administration, saying inflation and increased lawsuit litigation have driven up insurance costs; he indicates there is little the state can do in light of these national forces.
Crist notes that a magazine determined that Florida is the most expensive state in which to live, including insurance costs; he blamed DeSantis de-regulation policies.
– David Jackson
DeSantis invokes on Biden in first question
DeSantis says that Crist votes with President Joe Biden “100% of the time,” side-stepping the moderators first question on increased cost of living in the state.
The governor also mentioned a letter Crist sent him in 2020, telling him to instruct people to shelter in place during the peak months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
DeSantis touted his decision to keep the state open during the pandemic while highlighting “biggest tax cuts in Florida history.”
– Sarah Elbeshbishi
DeSantis touts school performance in rebuttal to Crist
DeSantis, defending his decision to keep schools and businesses open for the majority of the pandemic, touted the state’s high ranking in fourth grade reading and math according to The Nation’s Report Card.
“That would not have happened if we let Charlie Crist and his friends lock our kids out of school,” DeSantis said.
– Ken Tran
Crist calls DeSantis ‘shut down’ guy
In his rebuttal, Crist said DeSantis is the only governor in the history of the state of Florida to shut downs schools and businesses, referencing closures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“You’re the one who is the shut down guy,” Crist said.
Crist said it’s important to have someone at the helm who follows science.
“You don’t just shut down at the outset and then when it’s politically convenient for you, you want to open back up to score political points for your race for president,” he said.
– Rachel Looker
First question: The economy and housing – candidates avoid it
The first question is to Crist is a local issue: What about housing for all those people who are moving into Florida?
Crist avoids the question to talk about the “stark contrast” between him and DeSantis, particularly the latter’s opposition to abortion.
Housing and the midterms:‘I don’t have any faith in the system’: Soaring housing costs have renters mulling how they’ll vote in the midterms
Crist then suggests unnamed regulation changes to make housing more affordable.
DeSantis also avoids addressing housing, and instead links Crist to President Joe Biden.
– David Jackson
DeSantis, Crist take the debate stage
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Democratic candidate Charlie Crist have taken to the stage in Fort Pierce, Florida, to begin the first and last Florida gubernatorial debate ahead of the midterms.
DeSantis is seeking a second term as governor while Crist is hoping to become Florida’s first Democratic governor in 28 years.
The debate is set to last one hour.
– Rachel Looker
How to watch
The debate is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. CT/4:00 p.m. PT.
The debate is being hosted by WPEC-TV and you can watch their livestream here. C-SPAN will also be airing the debate at this link.
– Ken Tran
Whos is Ron DeSantis?
Florida GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis, 44, is seeking his second term in office.
He has emerged as a possible presidential candidate after gaining national attention among the Republican party. The Republican governor has clashed with President Joe Biden over the COVID lockdown, vaccine policies and most recently, Biden’s immigration policies.
More:2024 presidential race preview? Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis debates challenger Charlie Crist
DeSantis authorized the unannounced transport of nearly 50 Venezuelan migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard last month, riling up the left for using migrants as a political stunt. The move resulted in a criminal investigation and a federal class action lawsuit.
DeSantis was deployed to Iraq as an adviser to a U.S. Navy SEAL commander during his active duty service, according to a bio on his campaign website. He served in Congress representing Florida’s 6th District from 2013 until he was elected governor in 2019.
The 46th governor of Florida has two daughters and one son, all under the age of six, with his wife Casey DeSantis, an Emmy award winning television host.
– Rachel Looker
Who is Charlie Crist?
Charlie Crist, 66, formerly served as Republican governor of Florida from 2007 to 2011. Since switching parties, this will be the now-Democrat’s second attempt at office.
The Democratic candidate resigned from Congress where he represented Florida’s 13th district, a position he held since 2017, to focus on his gubernatorial campaign.
The former governor recently received the endorsement from President Barack Obama, who has been campaigning for Democrats in battleground states. Days leading up to the debate, Crist dismissed his campaign manager, who was arrested on a domestic violence charge.
Crist has held other positions in public service serving as state senator, commissioner of education and attorney general. He got engaged earlier this summer to Chelsea Grimes, a mother of six children from Minneapolis, the Tampa Bay Times reported. It is the third marriage for both.
If he wins, Crist will be Florida’s first Democratic governor in 28 years.
– Rachel Looker
DeSantis well positioned for reelection as speculation swirls around a 2024 presidential run
DeSantis boasts a much higher national profile compared to Crist, as many speculate he is mounting a 2024 presidential bid.
The Florida governor has made a name for himself as a leader in the conservative movement, waging numerous culture wars and making national headlines. DeSantis has signed bills that banned the alleged teaching of critical race theory in schools and restricted discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity in Florida schools.
His decision to fly 48 Venezuelan migrants to Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts in September drew both national condemnation from immigrant activists and progressives and praise from conservatives who want to clamp down on crossings at the southern border.
Analysts say he’s well positioned to win reelection thanks to his conservative stardom, and he’s received bipartisan support for his response to Hurricane Ian, including from President Biden.
– Ken Tran
DeSantis triggers Donald Trump’s ire with Colorado endorsement
DeSantis warmed up for tonight’s debate with Crist by drawing the ire of a potential 2024 White House opponent: Donald Trump.
The Florida governor taped a robocall endorsement for Colorado U.S. Senate candidate Joe O’Dea, who just happens to be one of the Republican Party’s most outspoken critics of Trump.
The former president, who previously attacked O’Dea, responded on the Truth Social website by posting a news story about DeSantis’ endorsement and adding a brief comment in all caps: “A BIG MISTAKE!”
Asked about Trump’s blowback, the DeSantis campaign responded with a news story about how the governor has endorsed a variety of Republican candidates during the midterm elections.
DeSantis’ possible presidential ambitions for 2024 will likely surface in tonight’s gubernatorial debate.
– David Jackson
‘A spineless, wannabe dictator:’ Look for Crist to aggressively go after DeSantis
Expect an aggressive Crist in tonight’s debate – perhaps his last chance to make a dent in an uphill race against the incumbent Republican DeSantis.
Statewide polls over the past month give DeSantis leads of at least 10 percentage points over Democrat Crist, the former governor and current member of Congress.
Crist has signaled his strategy in a series of tweets over the weekend.
Said one: “In case you haven’t heard: Ron DeSantis is a spineless, wannabe dictator who is going to lose” on Election Day.
– David Jackson
Crist expected to bring up controversial flights to Martha’s Vineyard
As Monday night’s debate will be the only televised debate in this race, Crist is expected to go on a full offensive against DeSantis as Florida voters tune in.
He’s likely to bring up DeSantis’ controversial state-funded program that flew migrants to Martha’s Vineyard, an affluent island in Massachusetts. Crist has already blasted DeSantis for the move, calling the flights “inhumane.”
The move was a message to the White House to draw attention to the migrant crisis at the southern border. But the flights might not have been as politically advantageous as DeSantis anticipated.
Related:Could Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ migrant tactic backfire politically with key voting bloc?
The Treasury Department is currently investigating whether DeSantis’ office misused money intended for COVID-19 relief to charter the flights. In September, a country sheriff in San Antonio, Texas, where the flights departed from, also opened a criminal investigation into the matter.
– Ken Tran