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Florida Democrats choose Congressman Charlie Crist to challenge Gov. Ron DeSantis

U.S. Rep Charlie Crist, D-Fla., waves to photographers after voting Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022, in St. Petersburg, FL.
Chris O'Meara
/
AP
U.S. Rep Charlie Crist, D-Fla., waves to photographers after voting Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022, in St. Petersburg, Fla. Crist defeated Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried in the primary election for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination.

U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist has won the Democratic nomination for governor in Florida, putting him in position to challenge Gov. Ron DeSantis this fall in a campaign that the Republican incumbent is eyeing as the first step toward a potential White House run.

In selecting Crist, Florida Democrats sided with a candidate backed by many in the party’s establishment who viewed him as the safest choice.

The 66-year-old Crist defeated Nikki Fried, the state agriculture commissioner.