US Rep. Charlie Crist to make 'major announcement' Tuesday in St. Petersburg

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — U.S. Representative Charlie Crist is set to make a "major announcement" today in St. Petersburg. 

The former Florida attorney general and governor could be the first Democrat to officially announce a run for governor against incumbent Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2022, according to Politico. 

If he does officially announce his run, he likely won't be the only one. Politico reports Democratic insiders are talking about U.S. Rep. Val Demings from Orlando running, as well as Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried. Fried is the only state-level elected Democrat. 

The Tampa Bay Times reports other potential candidates include state Senators Annette Taddeo and Randolph Bracy and state Representative Anna Esakmani.

Crist was Florida's governor from 2007 to 2011, but was elected to office as a Republican. He has been the Democratic U.S. Representative for FL-13 since 2016.

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