Jack Latvala Bashes Charlie Crist's 'Failed Leadership'

One of the leading moderate Republicans in Tallahassee, Florida Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, ripped into former Gov. Charlie Crist on Tuesday. Latvala and Crist moved up the GOP ranks together in Pinellas County before Crist left the Republicans in 2010. On Monday, Crist launched a gubernatorial bid as a Democrat.

"I have known and observed Charlie Crist here in Pinellas County for almost 30 years, Latvala said on Tuesday. I know him to be a career politician who cares more about his own political ambitions than doing what's right for Floridians. Time and time again he has started running for the next higher office after barely being elected to the one he held at the time. We've seen him in action, ignoring his responsibilities as governor to focus on his own political campaigns for higher office. When Floridians were experiencing crippling job losses and record unemployment under his watch, he abandoned his job as governor to try to run away to Washington, D.C. Charlie is an example of failed leadership and we can't trust him at the helm again."