Charlie Crist

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Charlie Crist
44th Governor of Florida
In office
January 2, 2007  January 4, 2011
Lieutenant Jeff Kottkamp
Preceded by Jeb Bush
Succeeded by Rick Scott
35th Attorney General of Florida
In office
January 7, 2003  January 2, 2007
Governor Jeb Bush
Preceded by Richard Doran
Succeeded by Bill McCollum
21st Education Commissioner of Florida
In office
January 3, 2001  January 7, 2003
Governor Jeb Bush
Preceded by Tom Gallagher
Succeeded by Jim Horne
Personal details
Born Charles Joseph Crist, Jr.
(1956-07-24) July 24, 1956
Altoona, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political party Republican (Before 2010)
Independent (2010–2012)
Democratic (2012–present)
Spouse(s) Amanda Morrow (1979–1980)
Carole Rome (2008–present)
Alma mater Wake Forest University
Florida State University
Samford University
Religion Methodism
Signature
Website Personal website

Charles Joseph "Charlie" Crist, Jr. (/ˈkrɪst/; born July 24, 1956) is an American attorney and politician who served as the 44th Governor of Florida from 2007 to 2011. Crist began his political career as a Republican, serving in the Florida Senate from 1993 to 1999, running unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in 1998 and then serving as Florida Education Commissioner from 2001 to 2003 and Florida Attorney General from 2003 to 2007 before being elected Governor in 2006.

Crist declined to run for re-election as Governor in 2010, instead announcing on May 12, 2009, that he was running for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by then-fellow Republican Mel Martinez. After initially leading in the race for the Republican nomination, he was overtaken in the polls by Tea Party candidate Marco Rubio and in April 2010, Crist left the Republican Party and became an Independent.[1] In the general election, he lost to Rubio in a three-way race, taking 30% of the vote to Rubio's 49% and Democratic nominee Kendrick Meek's 20%. Crist's term as Governor ended in January 2011. On December 7, 2012, he joined the Democratic Party, having endorsed President Barack Obama for re-election in 2012.[2] On November 1, 2013, he announced that he was running for Governor in the 2014 election.[3]

Early life and education

Crist was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania[4] on July 24, 1956, to Charles Joseph Crist, Sr., an American physician of Greek Cypriot descent, and Nancy (née Lee), of Scots-Irish descent.[5] His family name is adapted from the original Greek name "Christodoulou".[6] Crist moved to St. Petersburg, Florida, as a child, where he attended Riviera Middle School[7][8] and graduated from St. Petersburg High School in 1974. He is the second of four children and has three sisters: Margaret Crist Wood, Elizabeth Crist Hyden, and Catherine Crist Kennedy. He attended Wake Forest University for two years, where he played quarterback for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team. Crist earned his undergraduate degree from Florida State University where he was elected Vice President of the student body and became a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He received his J.D. from Samford University Cumberland School of Law.[9][10]

Early career

Practicing Law

After graduating from the Samford University Law School in 1981, and having passed the bar on his third attempt,[11] Crist was hired as general counsel to Minor League Baseball, which was headquartered in St. Petersburg. Drawn to politics, Crist was a candidate for public office for the first time in 1986, as a Republican, in the primary race for a state Senate seat in Pinellas County. After losing in a runoff, Crist joined his brother-in-law in private practice in St. Petersburg, but soon returned to politics as an aide in the successful 1988 United States Senate campaign of Connie Mack III, whom he has since described as his political mentor.[12]

Florida Senate

Crist was elected to the Florida Senate in 1992, representing parts of St. Petersburg,[13] defeating longtime incumbent Democratic State Senator Helen Gordon Davis of Tampa.[14] Crist was able to unseat Gordon Davis following Florida's redistricting, which created an entirely new state senate district.[14] His victory was credited with ending the 128-year control of the Florida Senate by the Democratic Party, resulting in an even 20-20 tie in Senate between the Democrats and Republicans following the 1992 election.[14]

He was known as a law-and-order senator, sponsoring legislation requiring inmates to serve at least 85% of their sentences before becoming eligible for parole.[4] He supported teacher salary increases, charter schools, and a vanity license plate for Everglades conservation.[13] With Crist as chairman, the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee investigated actions of then-governor Lawton Chiles amid allegations that Chiles' campaign had made "scare calls" to senior citizens days before the 1994 gubernatorial election. Chiles testified before the committee and admitted that his campaign had made the calls.[4][12]

Florida Education Commissioner

Crist gained recognition in 1998 as the Republican challenger to the incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Bob Graham. He lost to Graham by 26 percent.[15] He was elected Education Commissioner of Florida in 2000 – a position he held until it became an appointed office 2003, die to a 1998 constitutional amendment.[12]

Crist left his position after he was elected Attorney General.

Political Career

Florida Attorney General

In 2002 Crist was elected as the Attorney General in Florida. He received support of his candidacy from the host of America's Most Wanted, John Walsh. Walsh and other supporters of his work commented and cited his work with the Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Crist was praised by civil rights and consumer groups for expanding the powers of the Attorney General, during his time in office. These powers enabled him and Attorneys General in the future to have greater powers when prosecuting in civil rights and fraud cases. He also worked at combatting spam e-mail and froze utility rates. He focused on ending telecom deception and protecting the environment.[4][16]

In 2004, Crist’s office began to investigate the Lou Pearlman case. Jacqueline Dowd, who was leading the investigation, resigned and John MacGregor, who ended the investigation in 2004, replaced her.[17][18] In 2006, Les Henderson criticized Crist’s handling of the Lou Pearlman scouting network and the investigation.[19]

As Attorney General, he disagreed with governor Jeb Bush in the Terri Schiavo case. Crist received criticism from both sides on this issue.[20]

Governor of Florida

Crist in Brazil, 2007.

Crist was inaugurated Governor of Florida on January 2nd 2007. He was involved in changing policies including work on the purchase of a large area of sugar plantations. He also worked on education, with Florida rising into the top 10 for K12 education under his control.[21]

Fiscal Policies

Crist supported President Barack Obama's fiscal policies, and the stimulus package, amid criticism.[22][23][24][25] He supported capital punishment[26] and gun rights. In 2008 he signed a provision that prevents employers from prohibiting employees' bringing firearms to the workplace, as long as the weapons are secure and individuals maintain a concealed carry license.[27][28]

His stance on abortion was less clear.[29] As Governor he said that he was pro-life and always had been. He said that he had no plans to change the current law.[30] In 1998 Crist ran for Senate as a pro-choice candidate,[29] and said that he opposes overturning Roe vs. Wade.[29][31] Crist opposes a mandatory 24-hour waiting period before a woman can undergo an abortion.[29] In the 2010 Senate campaign, Crist presented himself a pro-life Republican[32] but after he lost the Republican nomination, he became an unaffiliated candidate and removed pro-life statements from his campaign website.[33] On June 11, 2010 Crist vetoed a bill which would have removed taxpayer funding for abortion,[34] as well as require a woman to have an ultrasound before having an abortion.[35]

In 2008, Crist supported a ban for same-sex marriage. He said that traditional families provided the best environment for children.[36][37] In June 2010, he said he no longer supported a ban on same-sex adoption and said “a better way and approach would be to let judges make that decision on a case-by-case basis”.[38] In early 2014, he apologized for his initial stance, saying he had made a mistake.[39] [40] [41]

He announced plans to sign executive orders to impose strict air pollution standards in the state, with aims to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent of the 1990 levels, by 2050 .[42] In his gubernatorial campaign, Crist opposed offshore oil drilling. Crist altered that position in June 2008, when oil reached peak prices, saying "I mean, let's face it, the price of gas has gone through the roof, and Florida families are suffering, and my heart bleeds for them." [43][44]

Environmental work

As an environmental advocate, Crist, in June 2008, proposed the State of Florida buy 187,000 acres (760 km2) from the United States Sugar Corporation for $1.2 billion. The purchase would remove about 187,000 acres of sugar farming for restoration efforts. In front of supporters in Palm Beach County, Crist described the deal "as monumental as our nation's first national park."[45] Economic changes forced the purchase to be reduced to 73,000 acres (300 km2) of sugar and citrus plantations for Everglades restoration projects.[46][47][48][49]

Other work

Crist endorsed legislation requiring paper records of all ballots cast in an election, after claims that votes were undercounted in black communities by computerized voting machines. He supported a large tax cut which was to total $25 billion over a 5-year period. The tax cut was aimed at property tax relief.[50]

He supported increased regulation of the insurance industry, including property insurance rates (in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina) and health insurance. The Citizen's Property Insurance Corp and the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund have been described as risky and underfunded. Standing next to former football star Dan Marino (whose son, Michael, is autistic and who inspired the Dan Marino Foundation[51]), Crist signed a law expanding health coverage statewide for autism disorders and he has also signed legislation expanding low-income coverage and creating public and private insurance options in the state.[52][53][54][55][56][57]

Role in the 2008 presidential election

Senator John McCain endorsed Crist's 2006 campaign for Governor, traveling the state to campaign with him. The day before the general election, Crist held a campaign event with McCain in Jacksonville. Later, when the Republican Presidential primary debates were held in St. Petersburg, Crist embraced McCain. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who had also campaigned for Crist during the gubernatorial election, had sought his endorsement.[58][59][60][61]

In May 2007, Crist signed a bill moving the date of Florida's presidential primary to January 29, 2008, contrary to national political party rules.[62] Crist joined Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm in asking that their states' delegates be seated. Both national conventions ended up seating all delegates, but with only a half vote each for the sanctioned states.[63][64][65][66]

On January 26, 2008, He endorsed McCain in the Republican primary race, saying, "He's a great friend and will do a great job for the United States."[67] McCain later won the primary by five percentage points.[68]

On October 28, 2008 Crist extended early voting hours of operation and declared that a "state of emergency exists" due to record voter turnout and resultant hours-long waits at locations throughout the state.[69][70]

On October 29 and October 31, 2008, Crist appeared on MSNBC's Morning Joe in which he told former Florida congressman Joe Scarborough that the race was tightening in Florida.[71][72]

2010 Senate campaign

Crist announced May 12, 2009 that he would not run for re-election as Governor in 2010, making him the first Florida governor not to run for reelection since 1964.[73] Instead, he ran for the US Senate, and his main Republican opponent was former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio,[74][75] in addition to Democratic nominee Kendrick Meek.[76]

Crist was initially the front runner in the Republican primary, but later trailed Rubio in polls.[77][78]

Crist announced his intent to run as an unaffiliated candidate in the 2010 senate election, while at the same time, according to a press release from his campaign, he remained a registered Republican.[79] Crist officially changed his registration status to "non party affiliated" on May 13, 2010. Crist did not return campaign contributions made to him while a Republican.[80] Crist lost the Republican primary to Marco Rubio, and then lost the general election, receiving 30% of the vote, compared to 49% for Rubio and 20% for the Democratic Party candidate Meek.[citation needed]

In April 2011, as part of a settlement of a copyright lawsuit brought by musician David Byrne, Crist apologized for his Senate campaign's use of Byrne's song Road to Nowhere without permission.[81]

Post-gubernatorial career

On January 7, 2011, it was announced that Crist would join personal-injury law firm Morgan and Morgan in Tampa.[82] It was confirmed that he would be a part-time instructor at Stetson University College of Law.[82]

On August 26, 2012, he endorsed Barack Obama for re-election as president over Mitt Romney.[83] Crist was a speaker at the 2012 Democratic National Convention.

On December 7, 2012, Crist announced via Twitter that he had joined the Democratic Party.[2]

2014 gubernatorial election

In July 2013, it was announced that Crist would be releasing a new book and it was in the process of being written.[84] [85] The release hinted he would be running in the 2014 gubernatorial election. The book, which is to be released in February 2014, is titled ‘The Party's Over: How the Extreme Right Hijacked the GOP and I Became a Democrat’.[86] [87] The book is said to go into detail of why Crist became a Democrat and left the Republican party.[88]

On November 1, 2013, Crist filed to run for governor as a Democrat.[89]

Political positions

Future of the Republican Party

On November 12–14, 2008, Crist hosted the Republican Governors Association (RGA) annual meeting in Miami. Held the week after the Democratic Party victories in the 2008 election,[90] there was speculation about the tone of the Republican Governors meeting. Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, recently defeated 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee, was a featured participant and speaker.

Crist's speech at the RGA conference, "Listen to the Voters and Serve" included his sentiments on how the GOP should evolve:
This party can no longer hope to reach Hispanics, African Americans and other minority groups – we need to just do it. Embracing cultures and lifestyles will make us a better party and better leaders. This desire for inclusiveness is near and dear to my heart... Last week, the American people made a choice and this week, if we choose to call ourselves leaders, if we truly endeavor to serve with a servant's heart for the people who count on us, then we too must work together, listen to one another and learn from the leaders who made the kind of history the American people deserve.[91]

Crist held a joint interview with Governor Mark Sanford of South Carolina and they discussed the split in the Republican Party over where to direct the party's next efforts to gain more voters.[92]

Same-sex marriage

On May 9, 2013, Crist announced that he supports same-sex marriage; “I most certainly support marriage equality in Florida and look forward to the day it happens here.”[93] In both 2006 and 2008, Crist announced his support for the Federal Marriage Amendment although by 2010, he had endorsed adoption rights for gay couples.[93][94]

Personal life

Charlie Crist with his wife Carole Crist

In July 1979, Crist married Amanda Morrow; they divorced within a year later.[95] Crist became engaged to Carole Rome on July 3, 2008 after 9 months of dating, and was married[96] on December 12 of that year at the First Methodist Church of St. Petersburg, where Crist is a member.[97] His last name is often mispronounced as 'Christ'.[98]

Books

  • The Party's Over: How the Extreme Right Hijacked the GOP and I Became a Democrat (2014) ISBN 978-0525954415

References

  1. Wallsten, Peter; Bauerlein, Valerie (April 29, 2010). "Crist Looks to Go It Alone". The Wall Street Journal. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Changing Affiliation Again, Former Governor of Florida Becomes a Democrat". The New York Times. Associated Press. December 8, 2012. Retrieved March 26, 2013. 
  3. Associated Press (November 1, 2013). "Ex-GOP Fla. Gov. Charlie Crist to run for job as Democrat". Politico. Retrieved November 1, 2013. 
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Morgan, Lucy (2005-05-09). "Crist Will Enter Governor's Race". St. Petersburg Times. pp. 1A. Retrieved 2007-01-12. 
  5. Steve Bousquet (October 20, 2006). "Father is first for unmarried politico". St. Petersburg Times. 
  6. Medved, Michael (28 May 2008). "The GOP Veep List: Pros and Cons". Townhall.com. Retrieved 2008-10-15. 
  7. "PUBLIC EDUCATION: Like herding FCATs, Crist's challenge is elusive: Make accountability appealing.". St. Petersburg Times. February 25, 2007. 
  8. "Crist's politics getting greener; Not all support focus on global warming". Sarasota Herald-Tribune (Florida). April 22, 2007. 
  9. "Charlie Crist: A fuzzy line divides personal and political lives". Sarasota Herald Tribute. August 27, 2006. 
  10. Laura Fitzpatrick AND Lauren E. Bohn (May 14, 2009). "2 Minute Bio". Time Magazine. 
  11. Hegarty, Stephen (September 1, 2001). "Candidate failed 2 bar exams;Florida's top educator, who hopes to be its top legal officer, says failing taught him "never give up.". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved 2008-05-25. 
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 William March (August 9, 2006). "Sticking To His Guns". TBO.com News / The Tampa Tribune. 
  13. 13.0 13.1 Morris, Allen, and Joan Perry Morris, compilers. The Florida Handbook 2007–2008 (31st Biennial ed.). Peninsula Publishing. p. 31. ISBN 978-0-9765846-2-9. 
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 Leary, Alex (2011-05-15). "Florida Democrats divided on redistricting, black representation". St. Petersburg Times (Miami Herald). Retrieved 2011-05-16. 
  15. "1998 U.S. Senate results". Federal Elections Commission. Retrieved 2008-11-13. 
  16. "Victory Smiles at Charlie Crist". The International Coordinating Committee "Justice for Cyprus" (PSEKA). October 20, 2006. 
  17. Kreuger, Jill (February 19, 2004). "Dowd leaves attorney general's office". Orlando Business Journal. Retrieved 2008-10-15. 
  18. Follick, Joe (October 3, 2006). "Book: Crist tried to 'whitewash' probe". The Gainesville Sun. Retrieved 2008-10-15. 
  19. Huntley, Helen (March 6, 2007). "Lawsuit faults Crist in giant Ponzi scheme". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved 2008-10-15. 
  20. Schiavo issue haunts Crist Smith, Adam C. St. Petersburg Times. November 1, 2006. Retrieved April 28, 2010.
  21. "Charlie Crist touts Florida's improvements in education rankings". Politifact. Retrieved 29 January 2014. 
  22. "Fla. gov touts stimulus package benefit at meeting". Forbes, Associated Press. January 27, 2009. 
  23. Morning Joe. "Crist: Stimulus will help Florida". MSNBC. 
  24. "GOP Gov Support Obama Stimulus". MSNBC Hardball. 
  25. Adam C. Smith (February 13, 2009). "GOP seethes over Charlie Crist's stimulus-plan support". Miami Herald. 
  26. Lesley Clark (2 November 2005). "Crist: Hands off death penalty law". Miami Herald, via Herald.com. Retrieved August 20, 2009. 
  27. Dara Kam (April 15, 2008). "Crist signs bring your gun to work bill". Palm Beach Post. 
  28. "Florida lawmakers pass "take your guns to work" law". Reuters. April 9, 2008. 
  29. 29.0 29.1 29.2 29.3 Crist's stance on abortion still hazy BOUSQUET, STEVE. St Petersburg Times August 18, 2006. Retrieved April 28, 2010.
  30. "Charlie Crist was pro-life, pro-gun and anti-tax, says George LeMieux". Politifact. Retrieved 29 January 2014. 
  31. Amid intense chatter, Crist denies he would run as independent Smith, Adam C. St Petersburg Times March 2, 2010. Retrieved April 28, 2010.
  32. Charlie Crist on Pro Life/Family Screen Shot of Crist's website from before party switch.
  33. Crist drops anti-abortion language from website Elliott, Philip. Examiner.com June 9, 2010. Retrieved June 12, 2010.
  34. Abortion bill may be political land mine for Crist The Florida Times Union June 1, 2010. June 12, 2010
  35. Florida Gov. Charlie Crist vetoes ultrasound abortion bill USA Today Jun 11, 2010. Retrieved June 12, 2010.
  36. Curt Anderson (November 25, 2008). "Miami judge rules against Florida gay adoption ban". Associated Press. Retrieved August 20, 2009. 
  37. "New challenge to Florida gay adoption ban". The Anniston Star. October 10, 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-15. 
  38. Smith, Adam C. (June 18, 2010). "McCollum touts tax freeze; Crist open to gay adoption". St. Petersburg Times (Sarasota, Florida: tampabay.com). Retrieved September 9, 2010. 
  39. "Charlie Crist 'Sorry' He Backed Gay Marriage Ban, Calls It A 'Mistake'". Huffington Post. Retrieved 15 January 2014. 
  40. "Charlie Crist apologizes for backing same-sex marriage ban". MSNBC. Retrieved 15 January 2014. 
  41. "Charlie Crist Says 'Sorry' for Supporting Florida's Same-Sex Marriage Ban". Advocate. Retrieved 15 January 2014. 
  42. Jim Loney (July 11, 2007). "Florida To Introduce Tough Greenhouse Gas Targets". Reuters. Retrieved August 21, 2009. 
  43. "Florida's Crist has new view of offshore drilling ban"
  44. "In Switch, Florida's Crist Eyes Offshore Drilling" NPR http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91680890
  45. Guardian UK "Florida to buy 187,000 farmland acres to preserve Everglades" http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jun/24/conservation.usa
  46. Miami Herald "Crist praises water managers for support of Big Sugar land buy"
  47. Miami Herald "Crist has competition: U.S. Sugar has offer from another suitor" http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2008/11/crist-has-compe.html
  48. AP "Fla. revises deal with US Sugar to save Everglades" By Jessica Gresko The Associated Press November 11, 2008 http://www.topix.com/content/ap/2008/11/fla-revises-deal-with-us-sugar-to-save-everglades
  49. "Deal to Save Everglades May Help Sugar Firm". NY Times. Retrieved 29 January 2014. 
  50. "Charlie Crist takes credit for Florida's largest ever tax cut". Politifact. Retrieved 29 January 2014. 
  51. "A Foundation Inspired by a Family". Childnett.Tv. Retrieved 2010-08-17. 
  52. Insurance Journal "Fla. Gov. Crist Persuades Cabinet to Block Insurers' Exit" http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southeast/2007/02/01/76468.htm
  53. "Florida Governor Charlie Crist | Governor Crist Launches "Shop and Compare Insurance Rates" Web Site". Flgov.com. Retrieved 2010-08-17. 
  54. "Governor Crist Launches Shop and Compare Website" http://www.ShopAndCompareRates.com and http://www.flgov.com
  55. Wall Street Journal "Florida's Unnatural Disaster Charlie Crist, taxpayers and the next hurricane." http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123371173559046209.html
  56. Associated Press "Crist: Florida 'better off' without State Farm" http://www.gainesville.com/article/20090129/NEWS/901290919/0/LIVING
  57. NPR "State Farm Abandons Florida's Homeowners Market" http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=99942808
  58. Seattle Times "We'll win Florida, Giuliani says" http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2004121276_rudy12.html
  59. MSNBC "Giuliani pins his hopes on Florida" http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22706715/
  60. Farrington, Brendan (January 30, 2008). "Gov Crist could benefit from McCain win". USA Today. Associated Press. Retrieved 2008-11-13. 
  61. The Boston Globe "Calling McCain a true American hero fla governor endorses"
  62. AP and Fox News "Florida Governor Signs Bill to Move Up Presidential Primary to January"
  63. New York Times "G.O.P. Plans Early-Primary Penalties" http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/29/us/politics/29calendar.html
  64. Miami Herald "All 114 FL delegates get seats on GOP convention floor" http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2008/08/all-114-fl-dele.html
  65. CNN " Florida, Michigan get all delegates, but each gets half vote"
  66. Politico "Florida Gov. wants all delegates seated" http://www.politico.com/blogs/thecrypt/0208/Florida_Gov_wants_all_delegates_seated.html
  67. "McCain scores Crist's endorsement". Miami Herald. January 26, 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-14. 
  68. Ray, Whitney (January 27, 2008). "Crist’s Endorsement Helped McCain Defeat Romney". Capitol News Service. Retrieved 2008-11-13. 
  69. Flaherty, Mary Pat (October 28, 2008). "Crist Extends Early Voting Hours in Fla.". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2008-11-22. 
  70. Rabin, Charles; Jennifer Lebovich and Marc Caputo (October 29, 2008). "Florida's Early Voting Hours Are Extended". The Miami Herald. Retrieved 2008-11-22. 
  71. Charlie Crist, Joe Scarborough (October 28, 2008). Morning Joe Interviews Crist on October 31, 2008. MSNBC. Retrieved 2008-11-22. 
  72. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvAgWmwPKHM [Morning Joe with Crist]
  73. Ostermeier, Eric (Apr 2, 2013). "Charlie Crist: There and Back Again?". Smart Politics. 
  74. Damien Cave and Gary Fineout (May 12, 2009). "Restless in Tallahassee, or With Eye on 2012, Governor Rolls Dice". New York Times. Retrieved August 21, 2009. 
  75. Miami Herald "Is Republican Party united behind Charlie Crist?"
  76. Beth Reinhard (April 2, 2009). "Kendrick Meek raises $1.5 million for Senate bid". Miami Herald. 
  77. "Poll: Crist Ahead If He Runs As Independent". CBS News. April 15, 2010. Retrieved 17 April 2010. 
  78. Finn, Tyler (April 16, 2010). "Will Charlie Crist Run as an Independent?". CBS News. Retrieved 17 April 2010. 
  79. "Crist’s independent run draws praise – and scorn". Orlando Sentinel, April 30, 2010.
  80. Reinhard, Beth (2010-05-13). "Charlie Crist won't refund campaign donations - Florida". MiamiHerald.com. Retrieved 2010-08-17. 
  81. "David Byrne forces Charlie Crist to record embarrassing apology for stealing Talking Heads song". 
  82. 82.0 82.1 Crist joins Morgan and Morgan
  83. [http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/08/26/2969064/charlie-crist-continues-political.html
  84. "Charlie Crist has "no-holds-barred" book coming out". Tampa Bay. Retrieved 15 January 2014. 
  85. "Charlie Crist Is Writing A Book Because He Is Likely Going To Run For Governor Of Florida". Huffington Post. Retrieved 15 January 2014. 
  86. "Former Florida Governor Charlie Crist attacks rivals in new book". WTSP. Retrieved 15 January 2014. 
  87. "Charlie Crist attacks rivals in new book". Jacksonville. Retrieved 15 January 2014. 
  88. "Charlie Crist's new book: Rick Scott is a 'terrible governor,' Sarah Palin is 'different'". Tampa Bay. Retrieved 15 January 2014. 
  89. "Ex-GOP Fla. Gov. Crist to run for job as Democrat". Washington Times. Retrieved 1 November 2013. 
  90. CBS News "Barack Obama Wins Presidency" http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/11/04/politics/main4571289.shtml
  91. A Message from Charlie "Listen to the Voters and Serve" By Charlie Crist http://www.charliecrist.com/
  92. Bloomberg News "Governors Crist, Sanford Split Over Republican Path to Success" http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aahiSQ2bhTN8&refer=us
  93. 93.0 93.1 Weiner, Rachel (May 9, 2013). "Charlie Crist endorses gay marriage". Washington Post. Retrieved 22 May 2013. "“I most certainly support marriage equality in Florida and look forward to the day it happens here,” the Republican-turned-independent-turned-Democrat wrote on his Facebook page. He congratulated Delaware on becoming the 11th state to legalize gay marriage." 
  94. Associated Press release (May 9, 2013). "Ex-Republican Charlie Crist backs gay marriage". Wisconsin Gazette. Retrieved 22 May 2013. "The statement marks a shift in Crist's views on gay marriage. He once supported Florida's constitutional ban on gay marriage, but also later said he wouldn't support a similar federal ban." 
  95. Bousquet, Steve (August 27, 2006). "Charlie Crist: A fuzzy line divides personal and political lives". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved 2008-10-12. 
  96. "Crist–Rome Wedding Photos". St. Petersburg Times. December 12, 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-13. 
  97. "Governor Crist and Carole Rome set wedding date". WFOR-TV. Retrieved 2008-10-12. 
  98. http://content.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1898151,00.html

External links


Party political offices
Preceded by
James Grant
Republican nominee for U.S. Senator from Florida
(Class 3)

1998
Succeeded by
Mel Martinez
Preceded by
David Bludworth
Republican nominee for Attorney General of Florida
2002
Succeeded by
Bill McCollum
Preceded by
Jeb Bush
Republican nominee for Governor of Florida
2006
Succeeded by
Rick Scott
Political offices
Preceded by
Tom Gallagher
Education Commissioner of Florida
2001–2003
Succeeded by
Jim Horne
Preceded by
Jeb Bush
Governor of Florida
2007–2011
Succeeded by
Rick Scott
Legal offices
Preceded by
Richard Doran
Attorney General of Florida
2003–2007
Succeeded by
Bill McCollum
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