Greek-American Charlie Crist to Challenge DeSantis in Florida

Prominent Greek-American politician and former Florida Governor Charlie Crist was elected by the Democratic Party to challenge Republican incumbent Ron DeSantis in November.

Crist, who opted to forgo a fourth term in Congress to run for his old office, cruised to victory over state Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried in Tuesday’s Democratic primary.

The Associated Press called the race for Crist at around 8 p.m. with about 1.2 million votes counted. The 66-year-old had received 59.8 percent of the vote with almost 85 percent of the expected ballots cast, comfortably outcompeting Fried’s 35.3 percent.

🚨BREAKING: I'm officially the Democratic Nominee who’ll go head-to-head with Ron DeSantis this November. I’m deeply grateful that Floridians showed out to defend integrity, democracy, and freedom. Now, let's get rid of DeSantis.

— Charlie Crist (@CharlieCrist) August 24, 2022

Crist will be considered a clear underdog against DeSantis, who will be seeking a second term and is considered by many to be a contender for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, the Associated Press notes.

Crist won the Florida governorship in 2006 as a Republican and served a single term from 2007 to 2011.

He refused to seek re-election and instead ran for Senate, losing to Marco Rubio in the 2010 Republican primary.

Crist officially joined the Democratic Party in 2012. At the Democratic National Convention that year, Crist endorsed President Obama and uttered an oft-repeated line of politicians who switch parties.

“I didn’t leave the Republican Party, the Republican Party left me,” he proclaimed.

He then launched another bid for governor in 2014, losing to Republican Rick Scott before winning a House seat in 2016.

Charlie Crist Delivers Speech on Election Night. https://t.co/c6ZJ5tjU7m

— Charlie Crist (@CharlieCrist) August 24, 2022

Crist is a veteran Greek-American politician in Florida

Crist is of Greek-Cypriot descent on the paternal side of his family. His last name is actually adapted from the original family name of Christodoulos.

To date, Crist has used his family’s journey from Cyprus to the United States to highlight the American Dream, which he believes is available to all new immigrants.

Crist wrote on Twitter for Immigrant Heritage Month in June 2018: “My grandfather came to this country from Cyprus with nothing but the clothes on his back. His first job was shining shoes. He achieved the #AmericanDream through hard work and determination. Today’s immigrants are no different.”

My grandfather came to this country from Cyprus with nothing but the clothes on his back. His first job was shining shoes. He achieved the #AmericanDream through hard work and determination. Today’s immigrants are no different. What’s your American story? #ImmigrantHeritageMonth pic.twitter.com/Rxb6V7oxmw

— Congressman Charlie Crist (@RepCharlieCrist) June 6, 2018

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