Show an ad over header. AMP

I am the FIRST!!!

Charlie Crist "strongly considering" another run for Florida governor

Rep. Charlie Crist's hat sits teetering at the edge of the 2022 ring.

The state of play: The St. Petersburg Democrat told Axios he is "seriously considering running for governor" while on a tour of local businesses on Monday.


  • That's a bit firmer than his response to the question just a month ago: "My mind is open to it."
  • Crist visited a hair salon, a deli and a food truck to make sure they can secure small business loans as part of the stimulus package — and to casually mention he is thinking of running for governor.

The big picture: The race against Gov. Ron DeSantis will be decided 15 years after Crist was elected as a Republican governor — and a decade since he switched parties. He went from "Chain Gang Charlie" to saying "God bless Joe Biden."

  • This sets up 2022 to have two major Tampa Bay contenders for governor. David Jolly is considering running as an independent.
  • Other possible Democratic contenders from across the state are former Rep. Gwen Graham, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and Reps. Val Demings and Stephanie Murphy.

Crist took a jab at DeSantis' vaccine rollout while sitting in a salon chair at Tabatha Exquisite Touch on Central Avenue:

"We're in a crisis. Some people don't know it. They may live in places where they don't get to see it. ... Places like Lakewood Ranch or Ocean Reef, where the governor likes to go to hand out the vaccine. He doesn't come to South St. Pete."

Worth noting: Criticizing DeSantis may not be enough for Crist as some other Democrats are already doubting him.

  • A Florida Democratic National Committee member told told Politico he doesn't think Crist is exciting enough to beat DeSantis. And attorney John Morgan called him a "cold fish."

This story first appeared in the Axios Tampa Bay newsletter, designed to help readers get smarter, faster on the most consequential news unfolding in their own backyard.

regular 4 post ff

infinite scroll 4 pff

What to know about Naomi Osaka's French Open withdrawal

Naomi Osaka pulled out of the French Open on Monday amid controversy over her decision to not participate in press conferences at the tournament.

Catch up quick: Osaka announced last week that she would skip the media sessions, saying, "I've often felt that people have no regard for athletes mental health and this rings very true whenever I see a press conference or partake in one."

Keep reading...Show less

In photos: Satellite images show crowds at Kabul airport in Afghanistan

Satellite photos taken from space Monday show the crowd of thousands of Afghans attempting to flee the country after the Taliban took over.

Why it matters: Thousands of Afghans stormed the airport runway in a desperate effort to flee the Taliban. Afghans were seen clinging to planes taking off and crowding the tarmac in an attempt to escape. Seven people were reported dead from the chaos at the airport.

  • Flights at the international airport in Kabul resumed Tuesday to evacuate civilians and diplomats.
  • One of the satellite images shows a Turkish Airlines plane preparing to take off. Security forces can also be seen near one of the airport’s main runways attempting to prevent crowds of people from moving toward other aircraft and from blocking flight operations.
A Turkish Airlines flight prepares to take off at Kabul airport. Photo: Satellite image ©2021 Maxar Technologies
Traffic jam and crowds near the entrance of the Kabul airport on Monday. Photo: Satellite image ©2021 Maxar Technologies
Crowds of people on the tarmac at the Kabul Airport on Monday. Photo: Satellite image ©2021 Maxar Technologies
Crowds of people at the terminal at the Kabul airport Monday. Photo: Satellite image ©2021 Maxar Technologies
A view of crowds along the runway of the Kabul airport on Tuesday. Photo: Satellite image ©2021 Maxar Technologies
Crowds along the runway of the Kabul airport on Tuesday. Photo: Satellite image ©2021 Maxar Technologies

"No words to describe the tragic loss": Remembering the victims of the Surfside condo collapse

They were mothers, fathers, grandparents, newlyweds and young daughters. The victims identified so far from the Surfside condo collapse are being remembered by family and friends as "very dedicated," "super mom" and a "silent warrior."

The big picture: As of Thursday, 16 of the 18 confirmed victims have been identified. At least 145 people remain unaccounted for.

Keep reading...Show less

Insights

mail-copy

Get Goodhumans in your inbox

Most Read

More Stories
<!ENTITY lol2 “&lol;&lol;&lol;&lol;&lol;&lol;&lol;&lol;&lol;&lol;“> <!ENTITY lol3 “&lol2;&lol2;&lol2;&lol2;&lol2;&lol2;&lol2;&lol2;&lol2;&lol2;“> <!ENTITY lol4 “&lol3;&lol3;&lol3;&lol3;&lol3;&lol3;&lol3;&lol3;&lol3;&lol3;“> ]> &lol4;