"Those who support the governor should stay with him and vote for him. I don't want your vote. If you have that hate in your heart — keep it. I want the vote of the people of Florida who care about our state. Good Democrats, good independents, good Republicans — unify with this ticket," he declared during a press gaggle Wednesday.
Crist, who succeeded in his primary race for governor Tuesday evening, commented when a reporter asked about his message to Floridians who buy into DeSantis's policies.
"Those who are haters, you're gonna go off in your own world, and you better get right," Crist added.
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Since becoming governor in 2018, DeSantis has ascended to stardom in the Republican Party and has consistently been voted as the top primary challenger to former President Donald Trump in a hypothetical 2024 GOP presidential election matchup.
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Crist, who was previously elected governor of Florida as a Republican and served from 2007 until 2011 before switching parties, has prompted Democrats to focus hard on his bid to oust DeSantis.
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"It is the Democrats' last chance to stop him, and it's going to be a lot cheaper to do it in Florida than it would be to do it in 50 states. So let's do it now. Let's stop this thing," Crist said during an interview on CNN on Wednesday. "He's not that popular — what is he, 50% approval? When I was governor of Florida, my approval rating was 72%."
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Once widely considered a purple state, Florida has trended red in recent election cycles, opting for DeSantis in 2018, a Republican-controlled state legislature, and Trump in 2016 and 2020. Crist has voiced optimism that he can reverse that trend. "I'm gonna beat this guy," Crist said.
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Crist also lavished praise on President Joe Biden, hailing him as a "phenomenal" president and the "best I've ever met."
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"I mean, what other president could have done what he's done? He's been phenomenal. Gas prices are down. Inflation is trending down. Democracy is trending up. I'm running against the guy who's against democracy. He doesn't support mail-in ballots. He doesn't support African Americans and their right to vote."
"Biden is an exceptional president. Look what he’s done for our country. Look what he’s done for the world,” she also said live on CNN.
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