Democratic candidate Nan Rich has officially qualified to run for Florida governor. Rich is now the second Democratic candidate to file in the gubernatorial race after former Gov. Charlie Crist filed his papers Monday.
Former state Sen. Nan Rich filed her paperwork at the Florida Division of Elections Tuesday morning. This comes after Republican Gov. Rick Scott and former Republican-turned-Democrat Crist qualified to run on Monday.
Rich, a Democrat whose issues include public education, health care and the environment, took aim at Crist after turning in her paperwork. She says although he has raised considerably more money in campaign donations, she's ready to go head-to-head with him.
"I’m not deterred by that. I’m listening to the voices of the people of the state of Florida. As far as I can see, they’re looking for a different option than the ones they’ve had in the past two Republican governors," Rich says.
Rich also called out Crist for the lack of a primary debate. The former governor has repeatedly brushed off her requests for months, saying Rich is not his opponent.
Rich says, "I think he does not want to debate me on the issues. He has a record. I have a record, and in a debate, that record comes out. I believe, as I mentioned before, your record is the best indicator of what you have done. It’s the best indicator of what you’re going to do."
Rich adds that the July gubernatorial forum at the Biltmore Hotel in Miami is not ideal for a debate. She and Crist are scheduled to attend, but they'll be there a day apart on July 10 and July 11.