Jesse Scheckner
U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist’s campaign to retake the Governor’s Mansion this November gained an endorsement Monday from Sen. Shevrin Jones, who cited Crist’s track record and message as motivation.
Jones said Crist’s leadership is needed now, particularly in light of recent actions by Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Republican-dominated Legislature.
“We in Florida cannot continue going in this dangerous direction, which is not the direction the rest of the country is going,” Jones told Florida Politics.
The events of last week’s Special Session — most notably the Legislature’s party-line approval of a DeSantis congressional map which, among other things, halved the number of Black performing districts in Florida to two — also factored heavily in the decision.
“As someone who represents the largest Black district in the (state), sitting on the sidelines for too long is just not an option,” he said. “And what you see right now is Charlie’s message is resonating in my community of Miami Gardens.
“They know him. They know the name. They know the work.”
Crist, who began his political career as a Republican and served as Florida Governor from 2007 to 2011, said Jones’ support “means the world” to him.
“This is one of the brightest political young stars in Florida politics today, and having the opportunity to receive his endorsement is humbling,” he said. “I am honored by it, and I’m enormously grateful to Shev and to God.”
Crist then took aim at DeSantis, who has signed legislation including an election law bill that has since been ruled unconstitutional in parts.
“What he’s done this past year relating to voting rights, civil rights, the opportunity for African Americans and people of color to be able to vote — he’s tried to make it more difficult,” he said. “He’s made it harder to utilize mail-in ballots and have drop boxes in minority communities throughout the state of Florida.”
DeSantis’ ratification Friday of the new congressional map, which faces at least one court challenge, is just another step in the wrong direction, he said.
“To basically try to eliminate two Black seats is astonishing, and what the Governor has done with these congressional districts is appalling,” he said. “This is 2022, not 1952. I don’t understand it, and I don’t think Floridians do.”
He added, “It’s one thing after another, and enough is enough. We’re all God’s children. I wish Gov. DeSantis would realize that.”
Jones’ endorsement is the latest in a steady succession of announced support of Crist by hundreds of current and former elected and community leaders throughout the state and nation. Crist has also collected numerous nods from labor unions.
Crist faces Sen. Annette Taddeo and Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, Florida’s only statewide elected Democrat, in a crowded Primary Election.
Asked why he chose to back Crist, Jones said it had less to do with aptitude than momentum.
“Commissioner Fried and Sen. Taddeo are both friends of mine. I call both of them ‘sis,’ and I help one and serve with another,” he said. “We have very qualified people who are running, so this is not a qualification test. I want to ensure we have the best advantage to move this state forward.”
Watch a video of the endorsement below.
It's an honor to earn the endorsement of a true fighter for Democratic values, Senator @ShevrinJones!
It’s time to bring back decency and respect to the Sunshine State — and with Shevrin Jones leadership and support, we’re well on our way to making it happen. pic.twitter.com/TYh1397cDR
— Charlie Crist (@CharlieCrist) April 25, 2022
9 comments
Zhombre
April 25, 2022 at 8:48 am
Blah blah blah blah Charlie’s gonna lose and all you screaming DeSantis haters can weep your Brady eyes out in November
Paul
April 25, 2022 at 11:19 am
You guys are just permanently angry. Who are you yelling at and why?
Tom
April 25, 2022 at 11:46 am
You have sensitive ears. No one is yelling. Camillion had no chance.
Google new St Leo’s poll today,
It’s over.
Tom
April 25, 2022 at 11:10 am
Yes Senator. As the St Leo poll says Crist is losing by 17 pts. and fraud by 19 or so.
People can’t stand Camillions but that’s fine senator, you go for it.
America’s Gov wins bigly in Nov.
Tallahassee to WH Oval after.
No chance for crispy Camillion.
Enjoy,
Ocean Joe
April 25, 2022 at 3:40 pm
Tom, before you uncork the champagne and go back to dreaming about Hunter’s laptop:
FiveThirtyEight rates St. Leo’s polling accuracy at ‘C/D.’
Check it out: https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/pollster-ratings/saint-leo-university/
This is from March of 2021, interesting graphic rating the pollsters.
Tom
April 25, 2022 at 10:01 pm
No champagne.
I’m to shrewd for that as I study polling.
Just a brief snap shot in time are all polls. Some more accurate, some less. I am not familiar with St Leo. Just to be fair, it is consistent with Mason Dixon & Univ Florida poll from Feb or so. He’s had a steady lead since winter. Also, Biden is abysmal, civiqs poll had him at 36% approval in Florida. Dems can’t escape.
DeSantis has a large lead head to head, 10 plus , and his popularity approval in all three is very high 50’s or 60’s.
He’s in very strong shape, Herald chastised Dems last week. DeSantis is wiping the floor. Is there a Dem party in Florida? Repubs are bout 115,000,00 ahead in new hard R party Registration, over Dems.
Florida economy is very strong, due to America’s Gov. across the board.
Florida for all. Not for a few. Unemployment 3.2%, top 10 in country, job wage growth., 8.7% growth, third in country. Florida bout $15 billion in reserves. People are happy and working. Carville said it’s economy stupid!
It’s the Governor’s race to lose, period!
Fraud is a awful candidate, electoral disaster. Camillion has no soul.
It’s a train wreck. Nothing for granted. Stone, Wilson, Scarborough and other hater, Lincoln types will look to sabotage,
America’s Gov will win, after that who knows. He’s a conservative Repub. star. Rick’s it.
Tom
April 26, 2022 at 3:57 am
Joe, I am a professional.
One poll at one time is a brief snap shot. It is consistent with Mason Dixon and Univ Florida poll, released earlier this year.
America’s Gov is way and easily ahead. Dems are lost. Fraud is way back and Crist not much better.
Gov Ron had many accomplishments and a great economy to run on.
Big win in play.
martin
April 25, 2022 at 2:08 pm
someone thinks that Charlie has a message? Oh wait a second, just another low IQ politician, voted into office by an even lower IQ public.
Yeah charlie has a message; plant your corn ealy!
Jimmy Cee
April 25, 2022 at 5:40 pm
Charlie has a message that is resonating.
That’s funny. Would that be his pro life message and all things conservative Republican or his conversion to far left democrat message of all things crazy radical?
Comments are closed.