(WSVN) - Congressman Charlie Crist has announced he is running for governor of the state of Florida.
Crist released a commercial on Tuesday confirming his bid. He is the first Democrat to officially step up to challenge Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2022.
He has been teasing the announcement since last week.
In his campaign video, he said, “You deserve better than that. You deserve housing you can afford, healthcare you can depend on, schools you can be proud of, jobs you can raise your family on, because Florida should be a place where hard work is rewarded, justice is equal and opportunity is right in front of you. That is a Florida for all and that’s why I’m running for governor.”
He served as the 44th governor from 2007 to 2011. The last time he won a state election was 15 years ago while running as a Republican.
The 64-year-old also unsuccessfully tried to secure a seat in the Senate as an independent candidate. Four years later, he went up against then-Governor Rick Scott.
He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2017. It is a position that he currently holds as a Democrat.
He is, again, running as a Democrat.
Crist held a news conference in St. Petersburg at 11 a.m.
“No, friends, this won’t be an easy fight,” he said, “but nothing in life worth fighting for is easy. I’m announcing today that I’m running for governor of Florida, for a Florida for all.”
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