In Florida governor debate, DeSantis skirts question of presidential run

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former Democratic Congressman Charlie Crist had their first—and only—planned gubernatorial debate Monday. They’re candidates for governor, but the question of the 2024 presidential election arose. Crist asked DeSantis—a potential Republican presidential candidate—whether he’d serve a full four-year term. The two then exchanged colorfully-worded barbs, with DeSantis saying in substance that he’s only looking at running against Crist right now. Crist criticized DeSantis for refusing to commit to the full governor term if elected. Crist, 66, governed Florida as a Republican from 2007 to 2011. Most recently, he was a Democratic congressman, resigning from that job in late August.

What else did they talk about? Their debate topics covered everything from abortion to hurricane preparedness to the COVID-19 pandemic. Crist accused DeSantis of being absent the day before Hurricane Ian hit and not evacuating one of the worst-hit areas. DeSantis said Crist would have destroyed the Florida economy during the pandemic by keeping shelter-at-home orders. Crist is pro-abortion, while DeSantis approves of the state’s law that protects babies after 15 weeks.

Dig deeper: Read Steve West’s report in Liberties on Florida courts ruling against DeSantis’ “Stop WOKE Act.”