Add one more name to the list of congressmen against president-elect Donald Trump’s pick for chief strategist Steve Bannon.
On Friday, newly-elected CD13 congressman Charlie Crist changed his tune and said he’s strictly against the appointment of the former head of Breitbart News, a network some say appeals to white nationalists.
“I’m very much ‘no’ to Steve Bannon,” Crist said in a text message to St. Petersburg resident Gypsy Gallardo.
Crist’s shift comes on the heels of a wave of criticism over comments he made to Politico earlier this week where he said the hiring of Bannon “gave him pause.”
Bannon has been the subject of controversy since Trump named him chief strategist, but condemned criticisms that he was a white nationalist earlier this week.
“I’m not a white nationalist, I’m a nationalist. I’m an economic nationalist,” Bannon told Breitbart.
Voters said a “pause” from Crist on Bannon was simply not strong enough -- they demanded the former Florida governor denounce him outright and made sure Crist knew it.
CD13 residents flooded to Facebook to voice concerns over the soft approach to Bannon, vowing to hold their new congressman accountable for his comments. They accused Crist of taking the easy way out with his comments.
“The only way we can get through this sorry excuse for leadership is to directly hold all of our elected officials accountable at every turn,” wrote Daphne Taylor Street. “We must communicate directly with their offices en mass, and let them knew specifically what we support and when they've taken a wrong turn.”
It appears Crist has heard voters out, trying to placate concerns by reaching out to voters to say he was not, in fact, comfortable with Bannon’s appointment -- or he told them so in private.
“Crist’s response met the objective of pushing for a firm position on Bannon,” said Gallardo, whose post held Crist’s feet to the fire. “I believe him.”
Others close to Crist confirmed he wouldn’t be a part of Team Bannon as long as he was in office.
“Our Congressman stands firmly against any policy or person in opposition of African Americans, Muslims, Hispanics, or any other group assailed by Bannon and his rhetoric,” said Pinellas County School Board member Rene Flowers, who worked for Crist as he campaigned for Congress. “I can assure you after conversations that he unequivocally opposes the placement, hiring, appointment of Bannon in the White House, or any other house.”
While many were pleased with Crist’s response, some were still apprehensive about Crist choosing to reject Bannon behind the scenes rather than make a public statement.
“I can appreciate Charlie Crist sending you a text Gypsy Gallardo,” wrote Theresa Jones. “However, he should issue a public, unequivocal statement on the Bannon appointment. His constituents and the voters who elected him, are due no less, in my humble opinion.”
Crist narrowly defeated Republican David Jolly for the CD13 seat earlier this month. It will be the first time he has held office as a Democrat.
Sunshine State News attempted to contact Crist but had not received a response at the time of this article’s release.
Reach reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen.
