Twitter explodes with reactions to Pelosi’s endorsement of ex-Republican Crist in Florida gubernatorial race
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has endorsed a former Republican in Florida’s 2022 gubernatorial race: Rep. Charlie Crist, who became a Democrat in 2012 but was still in the GOP when he served a term as Florida governor from 2007-2011. The endorsement will come as a disappointment to some liberals and progressives, as Crist is easily the most conservative Democrat in the primary. But Pelosi obviously believes that Crist would have the best chance of defeating far-right incumbent Gov. Ron DeSantis in the general election.
Pelosi backs Crist for Florida governor https://politi.co/37s9Qaz\u00a0 via @politico— Gary Fineout (@Gary Fineout) 1650279956
I'm honored to receive the full support and endorsement of my colleague and friend, @SpeakerPelosi, as we work to build a Florida that truly works for all Floridians!pic.twitter.com/kqHgCsyA1k— Charlie Crist (@Charlie Crist) 1650287752
Crist’s Democratic competitors in the primary include Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and Florida State Sen. Annette Taddeo. Fried, in her attacks, has been arguing that Crist isn’t a true Democrat.
Politico’s Gary Fineout observes, “The Pelosi endorsement comes at a pivotal time, as Fried has been ratcheting up her criticism of Crist, pouncing on his recent convoluted attempt to insist he’s ‘pro-life’ even though Crist has been supportive of abortion rights after changing parties a decade ago. Fried has insisted that she is a ‘true’ Democrat in contrast to Crist.”
Twitter users have been quick to weigh in on the endorsement. NBC News' Marc Caputo commented:
Nancy Pelosi doesn\u2019t move many Democratic primary votes in Florida, but her endorsement of Charlie Crist can more easily move $ in the gov race\n\nAnd since he\u2019s ahead of Nikki Fried in money and name ID (and therefore polling), the speaker is a good get for the congressmanhttps://twitter.com/fineout/status/1516010134568325123\u00a0\u2026— Marc Caputo (@Marc Caputo) 1650289423
Some Fried supporters were unfazed by Pelosi's endorsement of Crist:
I\u2019m voting for Nikki Fried. Charlie Crist is Terry McCauliffe 2.0.— Bobby Stone (@Bobby Stone) 1650294010
He had his chance as a Republican. I\u2019m voting for Nikki and so should everyone else.— Susan West (@Susan West) 1650290516
Charlie Crist is Terry McCauliffe redux, which Virginia voters rejected\u2026and Florida voters will as well.— OurRev305 (@OurRev305) 1650289291
Nancy, Why not support @NikkiFriedFL ?— Tracie Smith (@Tracie Smith) 1650296174
Here are some more responses to the endorsement:
He's better than Ron DeSantis but that's not saying much— Derrick Gladden (@Derrick Gladden) 1650295374
He just reiterated how much of a Republican he still is.. so of course Nancy jumped all over it!— My name is Felicity Morgan (@My name is Felicity Morgan) 1650289787
In Florida, he has the best chance of winning against whoever the GQP candidate in the General Election. I agree with Speaker Pelosi's endorsement.— Chrystal Lynn (FFS no DMs!) (@Chrystal Lynn (FFS no DMs!)) 1650303844
As a @CA_Dem, I view this as a very disappointing endorsement. Like @TerryMcAuliffe, another name from the past in the primary is a recipe for a loss in the general and four more years of Governor #DeathSantis. Florida needs to look to the future with @NikkiFried!— Brian Wheatley (he, his) (@Brian Wheatley (he, his)) 1650304681
How you going to be a champion for women's reproductive rights when you're pro-life? #somethingnew— J.Michael \uea00\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf2 (@J.Michael \uea00\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf2) 1650292826
