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Politics

Charlie Crist Starts as a Strong Favorite Over GOP Challengers

April 13, 2018 - 6:00am
Charlie Crist
Charlie Crist

Former Gov. Charlie Crist upended U.S. Rep. David Jolly, R-Fla., in 2016 by a small margin but the freshman congressman is sitting pretty in 2018.

Crist announced on Thursday that he raised almost $450,000 in the first three months of 2018 and had $2.1 million in the bank. 

"It's such an honor to serve the people of Pinellas County,” Crist said. “I'm grateful for each and every contribution and volunteer helping us continue our work to expand access to affordable health-care coverage, ban assault weapons, and protect our environment."

Despite Crist beating Jolly 52 percent to 48 percent last time out, Republicans have yet to find a big named candidate to take on the former governor. Last month, pointing to a special election where Democrat Connor Lamb flipped a U.S. House seat in Pennsylvania, Jolly opted out of a rematch against Crist. 

“Politics is about timing,” Jolly wrote on Twitter. “Four years ago tonight I was elected in a district Obama won twice. Laura and  I have considered another run, but watching Pennsylvania, this is not the year to reenter politics.”

With Jolly out of the mix, there are two lesser known Republicans lining up in businessman George Buck, who served in higher ed, as a firefighter and in the Army and the Air Force, and businessman Brad Sostack who served in the Navy. 

Buck’s team announced on Thursday that they would be holding a campaign kickoff on Tuesday and showcased his background, including living in St. Petersburg for almost a quarter of a century and presenting him in the tradition of longtime U.S. Rep. Bill Young, R-Fla., who represented the area for decades. According to his campaign, Buck will “revitalize and expand on Congressman C.W. Bill Young ‘s legacy for the citizens of Pinellas County,  its veterans and first responders.”  Buck’s campaign team also showcased his top issues. 

“Healthcare, veterans, Medicare, national security and returning education back to the states are among his priorities,” Buck’s campaign noted. “His proven leadership in times of crisis, his ‘boots on the ground’ philosophy and qualifications bring fresh and realistic approaches that have not been seen in Washington in quite a while. He looks forward to a positive campaign, meeting citizens, and tackling challenges.”

In the meantime, even with two Republicans looking to challenge Crist, national pundits like the Democrat’s chances to hang onto his seat come November. The Cook Report listed Crist as holding a “Safe Democratic” seat after Jolly turned down running again. 

Comments

Resist Trump! Vote straight ticket Democrat!

If "Charlie the Tuna" Crist is the best you can find,... you're doomed to failure; "Not this time either Charlie"! (Try taking another walk in the sand with rolled up shirtsleeves & shiny shoes with your "BFF" Barak Hussein Obama...'Two too tan twerps in tapdance shoes on a sandy beach' or 'Two intentially oily politicians' among 'oily duck victims '... [OH what a media 'PHOTO OP' THAT was ! ]

IF YOU WANT ILLEGALS TO TAKE EVERYTHING YOU HAVE IT IS SEALED WITH THE DEMOCRATS. ILLEGALS WANT EVERY PENNY YOU HAVE EVERY EARNED.

I KNOW MANY ILLEGALS THAT WORK HARDER FOR LESS; plus they use capitalization correctly.

Crist has done nothing as congressman that warrants reelection and I don't see that changing. He likes to frat with the other elitists in DC. Did the same thing while Governor.

Hey ORC - you need to detox yourself from the Fox News Cool-Aid. Is America becoming Great? If so how? Ask your grandmother if she could have survived living in a world where there was no medicare? It be tough for her. BTW - that and social security was not created by Republicans. If its up to them they be no safety net - Classic 3rd World Country we would be. Stop blaming the democrats. Not here saying they are better - but if they were to grow a spine and not be afraid of the Right Slanted Liberal Media - Things just might be different. I sure hope you will have all the means and assets you'll need for your days of retirement because soon they be nothing for no one but the rich. Funny how we seem to always have money for the bloated military but never for our Vets who were sent to war and now they too are being kicked to the curb. Stop lying about not having a political party - Conspiracy Freak.

Must be "fright nite" at "Robbie's" house...

Charlie, “the Windsock” Crist. Caveat emptor.

Just "sitting pretty," which that's Crist, won't cut it. Buck will win.

Crist needs to go. He is a flip flopper

ALL I CAN SAY FLORIDIANS, AND BEING ONE AT HEART AND MIND MYSELF, AND BEG ALL OF YOU NOT TO BECOME LIKE THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, NEW YORK, ILLINOIS, MICHIGAN AND MAY BE LEAVING OUT MAY BE COUPLE OF OTHERS. SHOULD THIS HAPPEN FLORIDA, WILL NO LONGER BE FLORIDA. DEMAND THE BEST AND BE THE BEST, AND DO NOT BE STUPID LIKE THESE OTHERS ARE TODAY. IT WILL MEAN YOUR DEATHS AND I MEAN THAT IN EVERY LITERAL SENSE OF THE WAY. TAKE THE LEAD AND SHOW OTHERS WHAT THEY SHOULD BE DOING. I MYSELF HAVE NO POLITICAL PARTY AND DO NOT REALLY CARE FOR ONE, AS FOR MYSELF I AM ONE OF THOSE CONSPIRACY FREAKS. ONE THING I CAN GUARANTEE ALL OF YOU, IS THAT YOU PUT A DEMOCRAT IN OFFICE, IT IS INEVITABLE THAT THEY WILL SEND ALL OF YOU INTO A COMA.

So right you are about this. Wish lefties could see it. Crist needs to go. Crist LOVES Obama and Hillary. I want candidates like Trump. America first. Buck doesn't have a chance. Just my opinion.

Buck will Not win. Sostack will

How can you be so sure?

Comments are now closed.

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