2022 Florida Governor Voters Guide
Charlie Crist (D) vs Ron DeSantis (R)
The Candidates
Legal. Cosponsored a bill to expand abortion services. Would sign an order “defending the right to access a safe abortion.” Was “pro-life” in the 2006 race; now says “I’m pro-choice.” New law that bans all abortions past 15 weeks without exception for rape and incest is “barbaric.”
Mostly ban. “I’m pro-life. I look favorably on pro-life legislation.” Signed a bill that bans abortion after 15 weeks, with exception if a woman’s life is in danger, but none for rape or incest. Signed a bill requiring parental consent of minors to have an abortion. Praised the repeal of Roe v. Wade.
Yes. “The time to act is yesterday.” Wants Florida to reach one million solar roofs with tax credits, low-cost financing, and low-income solar grants. Cosponsored a bill for the US to meet the Paris Agreement standards. Voted to reduce greenhouse gases and boost clean energy.
Mixed. In 2019 said he is neither a “climate change denier” nor a “climate change believer.”
Vetoed a bill that would allow public utilities to impose fees on solar panel installation. Signed a law preventing local governments from restricting or banning fossil fuel infrastructure.
No recent position found. In 2014, reversed his support for private school vouchers, part of the Scholarship program he signed into law in 2010, saying he no longer supported expanding them.
“To not teach what the facts are, and were in American history [including slavery,] what is that? Head in the sand education?” Would repeal laws regulating race and LGBTQ+ education. Opposes conversion therapy. Says limits on classroom discussion of sexual orientation in the “Don’t Say Gay Bill” are “hateful.”
Signed bill prohibiting teachers from giving lessons that make students feel “guilt, anguish” based on actions “in which the person played no part.” Such lessons teach kids “to hate our country and to hate each other.” Signed bill that prohibits classroom discussion about sexual orientation and gender identity in some grades.
Yes. Would spend $5.5 billion to increase teachers’ salaries, and raise state per-student spending, now 44th in the nation. Cosponsored a bill to give basic needs grants to college students.
Yes. It is a “Big Lie that the 2020 election was stolen.” The election was “free and fair.”
Mixed. Opposes oil drilling in some wetlands. Backed a proposal to ban fracking, but not all forms of drilling. Supports Everglades restoration. Approved plans to build a highway through wetlands meant for Everglades preservation.
More. Wants background checks for “all firearm sales.” Would limit “handgun purchases to once per month,” crack down on “untraceable ghost guns,” and strengthen red flag laws. Supports banning assault weapons. Cosponsored a bill expanding federal firearm regulations.
Less. Supports allowing public firearm carry without training or a permit. Signed a bill to ban local governments from imposing gun regulation. Signed a bill allowing people with concealed-weapons licenses to carry firearms at religious institutions that share properties with schools.
Yes. Would expand Medicaid, lower prescription drug costs, and expand COVID protection assistance for seniors. Voted for bills to lower prescription and Medicare drug costs. Supports mask mandates when “scientists advise.”
Mixed. Supports funding safety-net health care providers. Opposed Medicaid expansion. In 2020, ordered COVID safety measures. Later opposed mask mandates and shutdowns. Encouraged vaccinations, but banned vaccine mandates.
His budget Includes $8 million to “protect against harms from illegal immigration.” Would shut down shelters for unaccompanied immigrant children. Said “DACA is unconstitutional and the President is duty-bound to rescind it.”
Expand. Cosponsored bills prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and protecting same-sex marriage. In 2021 was named Vice Chair of the House LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus.
Limit. Will restrict Medicaid insurance coverage for gender dysphoria treatments. Signed a bill banning transgender females from participating in women’s sports & an anti-discrimination order for state employees that excluded LGBTQ people.
Legal. “I will legalize marijuana in the Sunshine State.” Supports growing marijuana at home and expunging sentences for possession. Supported a bill for federal marijuana decriminalization.
Ban. Says many places that legalize marijuana end up “regretting it.” Recreational marijuana has “a really detrimental effect” on young people’s “well-being and maturity.”
Likely raise. In U.S. House cosponsored a bill that would gradually raise federal minimum wage to $15 by 2025.
Signed bills that require use-of-force training and limited use of chokeholds, have police pay raises and new perks. Also allow police to arrest protesters who don’t disperse after a warning.
Yes. Supports refinancing and cosponsored a bill expanding student loan forgiveness.
More. Opposes tax rebates given to large corporations in Florida. Worked to have the IRS focus on the “massive corporations and the wealthiest 1%” in the Inflation Reduction Act.
Less. Signed bill that provided corporate tax relief. Signed bill ending Disney’s special municipal status, but kept its tax breaks.
Yes. Signed a bill strengthening existing voter ID laws and prohibiting mass ballot mailing, parts of which a federal judge overturned. Created an elections police unit to stop voter fraud.
We only include candidates polling 15% or more. But check out others, including Hector Roos (L).
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