Charlie Crist named to influential House Science, Space committee; hires 2 constituent staffers

Charlie Crist announced Tuesday he would be serving on the influential House Committee on Science, Space and Technology.

Also, the first-year Democratic congressman from St. Petersburg hired two new constituent service representatives — Michael Batista and Dillion Stafford — who will help assist Crist’s constituents of Florida’s 13^th Congressional District.

Since Crist was recently named to the House Committee on Financial Services, which is considered an exclusive committee, he required a waiver from the Democratic Caucus to serve on multiple panels.

Science, Space, and Technology have oversight on issues that directly impact both CD 13 and the entire state of Florida. The committee has authority over National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), including the National Weather Service (NWS).

Among the committee’s jurisdictions is the space industry, hurricane preparedness, and response efforts as well as climate change policy. It also oversees nonmilitary research from the Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, and the Department of Homeland Security.

“In this role, I will be a fighter for the scientific consensus that climate change is real, happening and caused by humans. I will work to maintain robust support for NOAA and the National Hurricane Center to keep our communities safe,” Crist said in a statement. “And when it comes to investment in the aerospace industry — critical to our state’s economy and our country’s continued leadership in space exploration — I will be a vocal advocate.”

Hiring Batista and Stafford is to give Crist’s constituents better access to Social Security, Medicare, and Veterans benefits and outreach services. The two will be based out of the congressman’s flagship district office in downtown St. Petersburg, 696 1st Avenue North, Suite 203.

Also, Batista will serve as the congressman’s LGBTQ community liaison.

“I am thrilled to have Michael and Dillion join our team, helping provide constituent assistance and community outreach — vital roles to carry out our No. 1 job: serving the people of Florida’s 13th District,” Crist said. “Both Michael and Dillion are committed to serving our community, and their experience and understanding of the needs of Pinellas County residents will be an asset to our office’s commitment to excellent, responsive constituent service.”

In thanking the congressman, Batista said: “As a Floridian and a fellow resident of St. Petersburg, I am honored and overjoyed to have the opportunity to work alongside such a distinguished public servant as congressman Crist, now representing my home and the 13th District of Florida. It is also my pleasure to be assisting my friends and neighbors in Pinellas County.”

Batista also applauded Crist’s work to protect St. Petersburg waters and his dedication to equal rights in Florida, calling the opportunity to work with him “an honor and privilege.”

A Florida native, Batista is a graduate of the University of South Florida with several years’ experience in community outreach, volunteer work, and nonprofit lobbying for human rights issues. Before joining Crist’s office, he worked with the Florida Democratic Party Coordinated Campaign as a Voter Protection Assistant, and was a congressional intern for Tampa Congresswoman Kathy Castor.

Stafford, another University of South Florida graduate who began his career as a field intern for Crist’s 2014 gubernatorial bid, also had high praise for the former governor turned congressman.

“Congressman Crist exemplifies strong leadership and has dedicated his life to not only St. Petersburg, but the entire State of Florida,” Stafford said. “I am both proud and excited for the opportunity to work alongside him in serving the people of Pinellas County.”

Stafford also brings a broad community experience to Crist’s office: former field organizer for State Rep. Mark Danish in Florida House District 63; community organizer with Floridians for Solar Choice; campaign manager for Tampa City Council member Lisa Montelione‘s bid for HD 63; and as a member of the research team for U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy‘s 2016 Senate campaign.