Former governor Charlie Crist officially filed his paperwork on Friday, but on Monday he made the announcement: he will be making a second run for his old job in 2014 -- and he began his campaign by suggesting Gov. Rick Scott's mind was somewhere other than with the people of Florida.
Crist made the announcement in his hometown of St. Petersburg in front of around 150 friends, family, lawmakers and members of the public who all gathered to show their support for the former governor.
Today, I announce I am running for governor of Florida, Crist told the crowd. You deserve a governor who wakes up every day thinking about you.
Crist referenced his past experience in politics as part of the reason why hed be a good choice to do the job again.
My record is pretty clear: putting the people first, Crist said. Going back to the days when I was privileged to serve this great community in the state Senate, I always tried to do what was best and in the best interest of the people.
Crist also lauded his accomplishments as governor, noting the extension of voting hours in 2008, being tough on crime, and his handling of the BP oil spill as some of the reasons why he was a successful governor.
According to Crist, Scott doesnt have the right idea for helping Florida or the states economy.
Right now, we have an economic plan that is entirely focused on giving money away to corporations, he explained. That might be a great way to take care of your friends and raise campaign dollars, but thats no way to build an economy that is built to last.
Crist promised to restore cuts in education funding and restore the Bright Futures scholarships provided to students who choose to attend college in the Sunshine State. Crist also promised tax cuts and promised to renew the effort of a high-speed railway across Florida.
Common sense vs. nonsense, he said. We need to get people off of our clogged roads and make it easier for Floridians and our visitors to get around our beautiful state.
Republicans wasted no time in jumping to attack Crist. Earlier Monday morning, the Republican Party of Florida launched CharlieForFlorida.com, an attack website calling Crist an opportunist. As Crist spoke, an airplane flew overhead with a banner promoting the website. Some attendees, seemingly unaware that the ad was sponsored by the RPOF, cheered as it flew by.
Democrats seemed hopeful that Crist would be able to take on Scott -- and ultimately win.
Charlie Crist was the peoples governor, said U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Fla., endorsing Crist. He will be the peoples governor ... The day-to-day challenges that we all face, we can put our trust in a man who relates to all of us.
Democrats also wasted no time in digging into Gov. Rick Scott and what they call poor leadership for the state of Florida.
Theres been a cloud over this state, a cloud that doesnt respect children and public school teachers ... the peoples right to vote ... a womans right to choose, said former Florida House Minority Leader Dan Gelber. That cloud is going to be gone in one year, permanently.
Members of the public were excited about Crist throwing his name into the ring.
I just feel [Crist] has a lot of charisma, said Elaine Anderson of Venetian Isles. I think we need to get back to Charlie. He has a lot of good common sense. Thats what we need.
Reach Tampa-based reporter Allison Nielsen atallison@sunshinestatenews.comor follow her on Twitter at@AllisonNielsen.
