Florida's Choice

Slide back to the dark days of the 1930s or build toward the 2030s?

“Florida, we deserve better,” says Charlie Crist, coming out of the gate strong this morning after a solid triumph in the Democratic gubernatorial primary.

And everyone dismayed by the sad state of Florida under mini-Trump Ron DeSantis knows that’s true.

The good news: As we head to the November midterms, the political winds in America are shifting rapidly.

A “bellwether” special election for Congress in upstate NY that in a normal midterm year could have been expected to flip to the GOP was held by Democrat Tim Ryan.

And in Florida, three strong and appealing Democratic candidates will give voters a real choice this November: Does the Sunshine State want to slide back toward the dark days of the 1930s, or build toward a more inclusive, tolerant—and successful—2030s?

Crist for Governor

Charlie Crist had a powerful message as he launched a new commercial as the new Democratic nominee for Governor: “Defeat facism, defeat DeSantis.”

The 2-minute spot is worth watching in its entirety, as it truly brings home what’s at stake.

As I asked earlier this month:

Can Crist win? As New York magazine says, “he has the name recognition and goodwill to make it a race.”

And in the new, “post-Kansas” world, we have to assume that for a candidate as high profile as Charlie Crist, defeating a Governor as atrocious as DeSantis is a definite possibility.

As ABC News says today: “Crist is offering a Biden-style appeal toward moderation and healing as an answer to the conservative warrior DeSantis.”

Despite DeSantis’s relentless efforts at voter suppression and intimidation, this is now a real race.

Demings for Senate

When the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on June 24, Congresswoman Val Demings tweeted: “Marco Rubio wanted this. I'm running to save Roe. And I'm running to win.”

“Little Marco” Rubio, once seen as the future of the GOP, has seen his national ambitions shrink as quickly as he allowed his conservative principles to shrivel in the age of Trump.

He’s also a notorious for not showing up to work—and when he does, voting against the people of Florida.

As conservative writer Jennifer Rubin said the The Washington Post this week: “Don’t underestimate Val Demings. She’s got Marco Rubio pegged.”

Demings has a strong law and order background—and recent polls indicate that, in post-Roe America, her chances of retiring Rubio are growing stronger.

Frost for Congress

Democrats look set to send the first member of Gen Z to Congress this November in the form of Maxwell Alejandro Frost.

As NPR reports:

Frost’s win nearly secures his path to Congress since the Orlando-based seat is considered a solidly Democratic district. Frost will face off against Republican Calvin Wimbish in November.

Frost campaigned on key progressive issues, including Medicare for All, a Green New Deal, student debt cancelation and an end to gun violence. He first became involved in political organizing in 2012 while in high school following the mass shooting in Newtown, Conn. He’s also spoken publicly about surviving a separate incident of gun violence.

Frost, who turned 25 this year, was previously a national organizer for the ACLU and then national organizing director of March for Our Lives, which congratulated his victory and his “Big Gen-Z energy.”

#Roevember is all about choice. But the midterms are also a crucial referendum on the direction of the country.

Republicans want to take us down a path of authoritarianism, censorship and religious extremism.

Democrats are standing up for people’s rights, democracy—and a better future for all.

In Florida, especially, the choice is clear. And Charlie Crist, Val Demings and Maxwell Frost are three strong candidates to support—and vote for—enthusiastically.

My paid subscribers help me keep this ad-free email newsletter free for everyone. So if you like what you’re reading, and can afford to consider it, please think about becoming a paid subscriber or leaving a one-time tip at “buy me a coffee.” If not, just subscribe for free and never miss an issue. And thanks for all your likes, comments and shares.