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.

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:

Some Fried supporters were unfazed by Pelosi's endorsement of Crist:

Here are some more responses to the endorsement: