In new attack ad, Charlie Crist calls out Ron DeSantis on masks in schools

The ad hits screens weeks after DeSantis issued an executive order forbidding districts from mandating masks.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist is on the air with his first TV attack ad against incumbent Republican Ron DeSantis.

Titled “It’s About Kids,” the 30-second spot takes on DeSantis over his resistance to several measures to stop or slow COVID-19’s spread in schools.

The advertisement begins with a montage of stories and headlines, displayed over news commentary about DeSantis’ fight against districts requiring masks in school. Crist appears at the end to speak directly to the camera.

“Ron DeSantis schools wants to defund schools where they’re asking kids to wear a mask,” Crist says. “That’s not what we need. We need common sense, and we need to do what’s right.”

It’s part of a five-figure statewide cable buy, POLITICO reports, and available to view online.

The ad hits screens in the wake of DeSantis issuing an executive order forbidding districts from mandating masks. More than 15 school districts have implemented some mandate in place anyway, though most allow parents to opt out of the requirement.

But as the delta variant surges in Florida and an increasing number of those testing positive for the coronavirus are children — many under age 12 and ineligible to receive a vaccine — more districts are considering dropping any opt-out and defying the order. In the case of two districts with full mandates, the Board of Education is considering withholding the pay of superintendents and school board members.

The ad highlights how the Governor “goes to war against masks” and juxtaposes that to news of three Broward teachers dying from COVID-19, although school had not yet started in Broward at the time.

“Join us in this fight because it’s your fight, too,” Crist concludes.

Crist previously served as Governor as a Republican, elected in 2006, and ran unsuccessfully as a Democrat in 2014. Crist faces Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried in the Democratic Primary.

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14 comments

Ed
August 17, 2021 at 8:56 am

Charlie Crist blows with the wind. He is a chameleon. One day he is a Republican, the next day he is a Democrat..
- GD
  August 17, 2021 at 11:27 am
  
  No, Crist is the same since before he was governor, the republican party has changed radically from decent people like Crist to scumbags like DeSantis doesn’t care how many might die for political points.
  Crist was a bit of a right wing Chain Gang Charlie ahole but as he governed he changed to a decent conservative.
  About the same time the repub party was going racist, fascist with Chump, DeSantis, etc as a result, power at any cost including their soul.
  Both are little Hitler wantabes and we’ve had enough of Defascist. 11-22 can’t come fast enough.
  - Tom
    August 17, 2021 at 3:22 pm
    
    You are pathetic human.
Charlotte Greenbarg
August 17, 2021 at 9:16 am

Let we forget he was once an Independent too! “defunding schools” Another lie from Chain Gang Charlie.
- Tom
  August 17, 2021 at 9:29 am
  
  He’s a total liar.
  Total desperation on his part as Nikki Fraud is bellicose.
  To raise and mention the people who happened to be teachers and or staff is a lie and extremism. They were not working. This is an example of the desperate measures being conveyed by Dems and media cohorts.
  Despicable and shameful. Absolute lies from Haters!
- Lisa
  August 17, 2021 at 7:37 pm
  
  No her really is doing that here in FL. It’s truly heartbreaking.
MAtthew Lusk
August 17, 2021 at 10:54 am

What a dork.
Agatha Kirk
August 17, 2021 at 11:08 am

This man also need to read other things said about masks; such as they interfere with natural breatheing ability and they carry fungus. Just saying; masks can be dangerous. The best latest alternative is the new prevention DeSantis is discussing now. At least he is trying to be logical and thinking beyond simply listening to Fauci who funded this “banned” research that mutates into many other viruses. There are many now: Delta, gamma, beta, alpha, Lambdia; enough to make you cry for our world while these people are thinking of killing people and depopulation as though they have authority on how many people should live on earth.
Ron Ogden
August 17, 2021 at 11:15 am

Even the notoriously pro-left Tampa Bay Times has written before about how poor a governor Crist was. Crist flopped then, and if elected he will flop again. But give the devil. . .Crist loves to campaign and he will do it well. The little emperor in Orlando will support Crist (hell, Morgan OWNS Crist) so it will all work out well in the end for Charlie Crist–the symbol of modern St. Petersburg.
Wanda
August 17, 2021 at 9:37 pm

Charlie has my vote Ron the little Hitler dictator must go he has killed to many people in Florida
- Tom
  August 17, 2021 at 10:45 pm
  
  America’s Governor has killed no one you pathetic person. What kind of non Human are you. Such a typical liberal extremist.
tjb
August 18, 2021 at 8:30 am

Agatha,
A monoclonal antibody treatment, that DeSantis is touting, is not a preventative medication, it is for the treatment of the virus once you get it. Surely you know that the monoclonal antibody treatment has yet to be fully approved by the FDA.
Kathy Widner
August 18, 2021 at 7:18 pm

Why would anybody listen to this guy? He ran as a Republican for governor, knowing he couldn’t win as a Democrat. After he was voted out of office he changed to Democrat knowing his district would not elect a Republican. He has proven that he is only in politics for the fame.
Pedro
August 20, 2021 at 2:27 am

We must defeat the disastrous Ron DeSantis either with Charlie Crist or Nikki Fried. Both are infinitely preferable to a Trump fanatic like DeSantis.