Charlie Crist

FORT PIERCE, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis tried to hitch Rep. Charlie Crist to President Joe Biden in Florida's lone gubernatorial debate Monday night, ...

“It’s inappropriate to tell a 6-year-old that they were born in the wrong body,” he said. “There you go, Ron, it’s all about culture wars,” Crist said. You can donate to support our students [here](https://www.uff.ufl.edu/giving-opportunities/025511-fresh-take-florida-support-fund/). The governor used the question to note Crist has made conflicting statements over decades concerning abortion rights. Crist responded by blaming DeSantis’ pandemic policies for the state’s more than 80,000 COVID-19-related deaths. DeSantis responded saying the effort was intended to draw the attention of political elites. Of course not,” DeSantis said. While Crist did not appear to make any fatal errors on the debate stage, his performance is unlikely to turn the tide of the race. Charlie Crist to President Joe Biden in Florida’s lone gubernatorial debate Monday night, while Crist tried to elicit from DeSantis a pledge to serve all four years if re-elected – a nod to expectations the incumbent governor is harboring presidential ambitions. “I understand, you think you’re going to be running against him. As polling places across Florida closed on the first day of early, in-person voting, pressure is mounting on Crist to close DeSantis’ double-digit lead. I can see how you might get confused, but you’re running for governor.”