Jacob Ogles
Charlie Crist, Florida’s Democratic nominee for Governor, says a strong debate performance has already produced material gains for his campaign.
Crist’s campaign announced it raised $200,000 from almost 7,000 donors, a sign supporters view as a revitalization of his bid while the candidate remains down in the polls.
“Charlie Crist delivered a game-changing debate performance,” said Crist campaign manager Sydney Throop.
“He held Ron DeSantis accountable for his disgusting attacks on a woman’s right to choose and exposed Ron for the coward he is for dodging multiple questions on how long he even would stay in office if re-elected. Charlie proved DeSantis can’t answer for his record of making Florida the most unaffordable state, and thousands across Florida and our nation agree.”
DeSantis, an incumbent holding significant leads both in polls and in financial resources, faced Crist on Monday, Oct. 24, for the only scheduled debate between candidates.
WFLA carried the debate online, and an online poll by the station shows 61% of survey participants believe Crist won the debate.
The campaign also said its own tracking of social media shows the Democrat has more than 3.5 million more impressions on Twitter.
That said, the six-figure sum, while a substantial injection of cash, will hardly close a dollar advantage enjoyed by the Governor.
DeSantis’ official candidate account holds $8.8 million in cash on hand as of Oct. 14, while Crist’s campaign reported just under $773,000.
Meanwhile, the outside committee Friends of Ron DeSantis as of the same date had almost $89 million in the bank as of the same date. The respective Friends of Charlie Crist had about $1.4 million available to spend, by comparison.
Proportionally, an extra $200,000 will open outreach opportunities for Crist in the final two weeks of the campaign. And it remains to be seen if viral moments from the campaign, most notably a clip of Crist asking if DeSantis will serve out a four-year term if re-election and receiving no answer, will continue to result in more fundraising.
But it’s also possible DeSantis, who has grown a national profile and fueled speculation he will run for President, sees a similar burst in fundraising. His campaign did send an email to supporters pre-debate saying his fundraising remained $22,000 short of its target.
24 comments
Richard Bruce
October 25, 2022 at 2:58 pm
Game change; DeSantis; world class tennis, Crist; amateur pickleball.
Tom
October 25, 2022 at 3:07 pm
I did like DeSantis a lot but after I saw him get steamrolled by Charlie at the debate…I just might vote Charlie Crist.
Tom
October 25, 2022 at 3:21 pm
Crock of manure Joey!
You can’t stand on your own, just a waste product.
Gov listens to me on chameleon” you are jealous.
Miami Dade going GOP, shellacking,
The Real Tom
October 25, 2022 at 3:41 pm
👆 Don’t know who this guy is but he’s a fake troll…
Tom
October 25, 2022 at 3:21 pm
Crock of manure Joey!
You can’t stand on your own, just a waste product.
Gov listens to me on chameleon” you are jealous.
Miami Dade going GOP, shellacking,
The Real Tom
October 25, 2022 at 3:42 pm
👆 Double post, double incompetent, double fake.
McCarthy
October 25, 2022 at 9:01 pm
^ #Commie tom over here
Brandon
October 25, 2022 at 7:52 pm
$200,000! Just stunning. Wow! Charles (R-I-D) is still being out raised 20 to 1.
David in Shoreline
October 25, 2022 at 3:16 pm
Yes, last night’s debate certainly was a game changer. Charlie rolled snake eyes and drew the “Go directly to jail. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200” card.
Impeach Biden
October 25, 2022 at 3:53 pm
Wow look at that 7000 people pissing away 200k. Must be those Democrat Plantation owners with nothing else better to do with their money since “floor fan” Charlie will be rolled come 8 November.🤣
Joe Corsin
October 25, 2022 at 4:34 pm
Oh yeah. Fangate. Stupid authoritarian asshole political stunt by some right wing crook. Rick “I plead the fifth” Scott. Make people who make no money pay taxes and “review” social programs every 5 years ago we can complain about them on live television until they are done away with. Them came Trump… another right wing billionaire grifter who wouldn’t wipe his azz with the people who show up to his rallies.
Impeach Biden
October 25, 2022 at 4:38 pm
Desperation time for Corsin, Offen, and all of his fake names. Neither Scott or Trump is in this election. Stay on topic. Yes folks, the meltdown has begun.
Tom
October 25, 2022 at 4:54 pm
Yes impeach, Joey is in complete mental midget meltdown.
The Dum Dems have no chance, comedy show operation. Miami Dade trending GOP, DeSantis and Marco. Hispanics trending to GOP.
DeSantis will get 10 to 15% of Dem vote, likely carry Hispanics, or break even. Marco will carry Hispanics.
Dumings is looking for her gun. Rubio good for 53%, 54%.
Govs donkey reference fired up every Repub., along with the crisp hate in heart reference. Repubs. will walk on broken glass to vote and eviscerate this perennial clown, old donkey chameleon. Corsin is a loser!
Joe Corsin
October 25, 2022 at 9:16 pm
@Fake Tom: Before the whole bar beats you…your clothes will be torn off. After the beating you’ll be thrown into the parking lot naked.
Hope
October 25, 2022 at 5:08 pm
Not a “fan” tastic performance by Charlie. If he had to have a fan why didn’t he use one of the new aerodynamic state-of-the-art fans instead of the ratty little fan? Oh I forgot his campaign manager quit and details were missed.
Tom
October 25, 2022 at 5:12 pm
Impeach, yes.
Desperation, Miami Dade, Hispanics going GOP. Chameleon can’t turn it around. Corsin in total mental disarray.
Joe Corsin
October 25, 2022 at 5:29 pm
Scott and Trump are just examples of what comes out of the GOP..
Marconi
October 25, 2022 at 6:03 pm
First class politicians who put the voters first. As opposed to change my party Charlie, the poster child for career politician.
Impeach Biden
October 25, 2022 at 6:52 pm
Come on Joey you can stay on topic. Again Scott and Trump are not in this election cycle. Focus, focus. We warned you about the Tsunami but you ignored it. Two weeks out now.
Hope
October 25, 2022 at 5:06 pm
Not a “fan” tastic performance by Charlie. If he had to have a fan why didn’t he use one of the new aerodynamic state-of-the-art fans instead of the ratty little fan? Oh I forgot his campaign manager quit and details were missed.
Charlie Crist
October 25, 2022 at 7:18 pm
👆Neo nazi Delilah..
Nope
October 26, 2022 at 8:50 am
I’m confused are we moving to electric ? The batteries in these dems seems to be depleted- perhaps we just reach out to hunter and get the big guy to send us some new ch ina made bat trees
Charlotte Greenbarg
October 26, 2022 at 11:11 am
WFLA is in the tank for Democrats. I don’t believe that poll. Chameleon Charlie is toast.
370H55V I/me/mine
October 26, 2022 at 9:39 pm
The author of this article is clutching at straws. Hello? There are now over 300,000 more Republicans than Dems in Florida?
No doubt he’ll go into hiding after DeSantis blows Charlie out with over 60%, brings Rubio along with him, and GOP supermajorities in the legislature.
Comments are closed.