The potential for Democratic candidate for Florida Governor Nan Rich besting newly minted Democrat Charlie Crist in a primary is slim. But, that’s not stopping one women’s group from throwing its weight behind the gubernatorial underdog.
With former Republican Charlie Crist announcing his Democratic candidacy and U.S. Senator Bill Nelson not ruling out the possibility of a 2014 run for governor, former State Senator Nan Rich is at a competitive disadvantage. But, the National Women’s Political Caucus of Florida President Beth Lerner explained that the group is throwing its support behind Rich, not because of her electability, but because of her record on women’s issues.
“It’s never wrong to follow your principles and support someone who stands for what you stand for and as far as saying im going to compromise and vote for someone who might have a better shot of winning in November, whatever happens we still have to support the person who has been there for us all these years,” Lerner said in a phone interview Friday.
Lerner says her organization will do everything it can to ensure a Rich victory but, if the Democratic hopeful doesn’t make it to the general election, the caucus members aren’t sure they can support either Republican incumbent Rick Scott or former Republican Charlie Crist because their records on women’s issues are too similar. The Democratic and Republican primaries for governor will be held in August of 2014.
