Array
Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and Democrat Charlie Crist, a former congressman, faced off Monday in their lone debate before the election to decide who will lead Florida over the next four years.
DeSantis has become a fan favorite to run for president in 2024, particularly if former President Donald Trump doesn’t run again. Republicans have an advantage in Florida because they’ve out-registered Democrats by 270,000 people in the state, and DeSantis also has significantly outraised Crist, who was a Republican governor from 2007 to 2011.
The debate Monday was Crist’s main chance to try to close the gap in polling, which favors DeSantis. Throughout the debate, the audience cheered for both sides. Liz Quirantes, the debate moderator from CBS12, repeatedly told the audience not to cheer, but they ignored her.
Here are the main takeaways from the night, hosted at the Fort Pierce Theatre:
During the debate, Crist accused DeSantis of being motivated more by his future ambitions than by a desire to be governor of Florida. At one point, he asked DeSantis directly whether he’d commit to serving all four years, even though both candidates had agreed to debate rules that they may not ask each other questions.
DeSantis paused and then asked the moderator whether it was his time to speak.
« I know Charlie wants to talk about 2024 and Joe Biden, but let me be clear: The only worn-out old donkey I want to put out to pasture is Charlie Crist, » he said, referring to the political symbol for Democrats.
