Despite not being able to debate former Gov. Charlie Crist in their primary contest, former Florida Senate Minority Leader Nan Rich is increasingly becoming an active campaigner for Democrats. In last months primary, Crist won with 74 percent of the vote.
Rich is more concerned with firing away at Gov. Rick Scott than promoting her former rival. This past weekend, Rich took to the stump as Democratic women's clubs from across the state descended on St. Augustine and she took aim at Gov. Rick Scott.
I spoke about the importance of moving forward as unified Democrats with the goal of making Rick Scott a one-term governor, Rich noted.
Rich is also standing behind former DCF Secretary George Sheldon as he looks to defeat Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi in November. Next Tuesday, Rich will host a fundraiser for Sheldon in Plantation.
Earlier in the month, speaking at a Planned Parenthood political event in West Palm Beach, Rich praised pro-choice candidates like Sheldon while ignoring Crist.
I spoke at Planned Parenthood today about the importance of electing pro-choice candidates like George Sheldon who will protect women's reproductive rights, Rich noted after the event.
During the Democratic primary contest, Rich called into question Crists position on abortion, noting that he had been pro-life during his many years on the political stage when he positioned himself as a conservative Republican. With his various shifts in political affiliation and changing his positions on the issues, Rich called repeatedly for debates with the former Republican, but neither Crist nor the Florida Democratic Party agreed.
Crist left the GOP after being caught in the Republican U.S. Senate primary in 2010 by Marco Rubio, but the then-governor continued his bid with no party affiliation. In December 2012, Crist joined the Democrats.
While she is not exactly showcasing her former rival, Rich did endorse him after the primary.
He will now bear the Democratic standard in a contest where nothing less than the future of Florida is at stake, Rich said after the primary. It will be a very tough fight to beat Rick Scott. Charlie Crist will need all of our support to win. He has mine.
I entered this race to defeat Rick Scott and get Florida back on the right track, Rich added. That is a goal to which I remain committed.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
