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Is there a candidate who can unseat Governor Ron DeSantis? The two leading Democrats—U.S. Congressman Charlie Crist and Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried—running against him say yes. We ask them how they plan to do it. In our special election series, “TalkingPoints,” WINK News Investigative Reporter Céline McArthur interviews both candidates to see how they say they’ll make your lives better in the Sunshine State. Democratic Congressman Charlie Crist is in his fifth year in congress. He’s the former Republican Governor of Florida, having served one term from 2007 to 2011. He became an Independent in 2010 and a Democrat two years later. I caught up with Crist via zoom during his final stretch of primary campaigning. He makes it clear why he’s taking on sitting Governor Ron DeSantis. “I’m not running for governor because I’m a fan,” says Crist. “I’m running for governor because he’s broken my heart, and I think he’s broken the heart of most Floridians. He is pursuing the Republican nomination for President, let’s be honest about it. That’s what he’s all about. You know, he goes to bed every night thinking about sleeping in the White House, and he cares more about the White House than your house.” Still, the Florida Chamber of Commerce says its latest poll shows Governor DeSantis with a 54% approval rating in the state. DeSantis holds an 8% lead over Crist in a hypothetical head-to-head matchup. And when it comes to fundraising, DeSantis has a lot more money in the bank. The latest campaign finance reports show DeSantis raised $20 million, compared to Crist’s nearly $8 million. Crist says those numbers don’t reflect the fatigue and frustration Floridians have for DeSantis’ punishing political and leadership style. McArthur: “How do you win?” Rep. Crist: “Present the opposite. I think people are tired of it. They’re tired of bickering in Florida politics. They’re tired of the culture wars that the Governor is pursuing. He’s anti-women, he does not support a woman’s right to choose. He’s anti-African American voters, making it harder for them to have drop boxes in minority communities across the state. He’s actually redlined out two black congressional districts, one in North Florida.” Before he can debate DeSantis, he has to win Tuesday’s primary. Crist says his experience is what distinguishes him from his opponent, Agricultural Commissioner Nikki Fried. “I have the experience of actually being your governor before,” says Crist. “I know how to do the job. I don’t need any on-the-job training. I’ve been your attorney general and fought for civil rights. I’ve been the Commissioner of Education and fought for public school teachers, and how important education is to the future of all of us.” As Florida schools struggle to recruit and retain teachers, Crist says DeSantis’ plan to bring in veterans to fill some of the more than 8,000 open positions isn’t the solution. Crist didn’t offer a specific number, but says DeSantis hasn’t raised teacher pay nearly enough to make the job appealing for the long-haul. “The reality is this. We’re the third largest state in the country, surpassing New York just a few years ago, and yet we pay our teachers 48th or 49th out of the 50 states. Candidly, that’s embarrassing,” says Crist. “That is not a record to run on. That is a record to surpass and to achieve more and to do better.” One of the most divisive issues expected to drive voters to the polls is the future of women’s reproductive rights following the US Supreme Court reversal of Roe v. Wade. Crist says, if elected, he will not allow Governor DeSantis’ abortion restrictions to stand. “I wouldn’t have signed the law Governor DeSantis put in place the 15-week law, and it has no exception for rape or incest,” says Crist. “It is absolutely barbaric. When I am Governor, the first thing I’ll do—on day one—is sign an executive order protecting a woman’s right to choose, because not respecting women like that, is not appropriate.” Fried challenges his pledge, suggesting the former pro-life Republican could change his mind if he regains the governor’s mansion. “Nothing could be further from the truth,” says Crist. “I am the only candidate in this race, Celine, who actually, as your Governor, already has vetoed an anti-abortion bill. and I have a 100% rating in Congress from Planned Parenthood and NARAL. Very proud of that.” He adds, “So that’s a false accusation on her part. I’m sad she’s doing it.” Crist is optimistic he can help lessen the pain of inflation. McArthur: “Can you address the high cost of living that people are currently struggling with?” Rep. Crist: “Oh, there’s so many things we can do.” Among his recommendations, he wants to, “suspend the gas tax at the state level.” He adds, “property insurance is also through the roof. When I was Governor the first time, I had a property insurance special session, and we cut property insurance 10%. Governor DeSantis to the contrary, he held a special session. It sure was special, for the insurance companies. Didn’t lower the rates. Zero, Nada, Nothing. Charlie, Chris cut them 10%. Ron DeSantis: nothing. Who would you rather have fighting for you?” He also points to the value of his strategic relationships. “The new Secretary at the Department of HUD, of course, Housing and Urban Development is Marcia Fudge, a former colleague of mine in the Congress.” Crist is confident—even with a Republican-led state legislature—he can make your life better. “I would reach out to the Republicans in the House and the Senate, moderate Republicans, I know they’re there and probably feel suppressed under this Governor right now,” says Crist. In the end: “I am a nice guy, and I understand people perceive me that way, because they should,” says Crist. “But I will also say this: never confused my kindness for weakness. I know what needs to be done. I know what people want, because I listened to them.” Nearly every poll puts Crist ahead of Fried by a double-digit spread, including a new St. Pete Polls poll, where he leads by 29-points. University of North Florida has Fried up by 4-points. In its last poll in February, she was down by 8-points. You can watch Céline McArthur’s interview with Fried by clicking here. More TalkingPoints: Understanding the Lee County court judge race One-on-one with Lindsay Scott Garza, Lee County judge candidate One-on-one with Lee County Court Judge Archie B. Hayward, running for reelection US Senate race in Florida One-on-one with Sen. Marco Rubio, running for reelection One-on-one with Congresswoman Val Demings, candidate for US Senate If you have a story you want us to cover on TalkingPoints, email us at talkingpoints@winknews.com. Connect with Céline McArthur on Twitter or on Facebook. You can also reach Céline via email at celine.mcarthur@winknews.com.