Democratic gubernatorial candidates Nikki Fried, left, and Charlie Crist listen to the national anthem before a candidate forum in West Palm Beach, Florida, on June 15, 2022. - Anthony Man/Sun Sentinel/TNS
ORLANDO, Fla. — Charlie Crist soundly defeated Nikki Fried in the Democratic primary for governor on Tuesday, prevailing in what became a bitter campaign to take on Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis in the general election. Crist had 59.9% of the vote to Fried’s 35.2%, with 81% of the precincts reporting. “Tonight, the people of Florida clearly sent a message: They want a governor who cares about them and solves real problems, preserves our freedom, not a bully who divides us and takes our freedom away,” Crist declared in a victory speech in St. Petersburg. “This guy wants to be president of the Un...
