AFL-CIO backs Crist in governor’s race

NSF Staff Report

Democrat Charlie Crist got a boost as the Florida AFL-CIO endorsed his campaign for governor.

Crist, a congressman from St. Petersburg, is running in the Aug. 23 Democratic primary against state Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, with the winner facing Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis in November.

In a prepared statement, AFL-CIO President Mike Williams pointed to Crist’s previous four-year stint as governor after being elected in 2006 as a Republican.

“He often bucked other (Republican) party leaders to do the right thing for Florida’s workers,” Williams said in the statement. “We know Charlie will focus on governing and solving problems for working families instead of focusing on divisive culture wars.

“Florida’s workforce has serious problems, and our economy has never been more lopsided, these and other issues can’t be ignored any longer. We believe that Crist is the right person for the job.” 

Williams also said Fried as “an impressive leader with a very bright future in Florida, and our members had a tough decision to make.”