View source for Charlie Crist

{{Short description|American politician (born 1956)}}
{{for|the basketball player|Charlie Criss}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2022}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Charlie Crist
| image               = Charlie Crist 115th Congress photo.jpg
| caption             = Official portrait, 2017
| office              = 
| president           = 
| term_start          = 
| term_end            = 
| succeeding          = 
| successor           = 
| state1              = [[Florida]]
| district1           = {{ushr|FL|13|13th}}
| term_start1         = January 3, 2017
| term_end1           = August 31, 2022
| predecessor1        = [[David Jolly]]
| successor1          = [[Anna Paulina Luna]]
| order2              = 44th [[Governor of Florida]]
| lieutenant2         = [[Jeff Kottkamp]]
| term_start2         = January 2, 2007
| term_end2           = January 4, 2011
| predecessor2        = [[Jeb Bush]]
| successor2          = [[Rick Scott]]
| office3             = 35th [[Florida Attorney General]]
| governor3           = Jeb Bush
| term_start3         = January 7, 2003
| term_end3           = January 2, 2007
| predecessor3        = [[Richard E. Doran]]
| successor3          = [[Bill McCollum]]
| office4             = 21st [[Florida Department of Education|Education Commissioner of Florida]]
| governor4           = Jeb Bush
| term_start4         = January 3, 2001
| term_end4           = January 7, 2003
| predecessor4        = [[Tom Gallagher]]
| successor4          = [[Jim Horne (Florida politician)|Jim Horne]]
| state_senate5       = Florida
| district5           = 20th
| term_start5         = November 3, 1992
| term_end5           = November 3, 1998
| predecessor5        = Constituency redistricted
| successor5          = [[Jim Sebesta]]
| birth_name          = Charles Joseph Crist Jr.
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1956|7|24}}
| birth_place         = [[Altoona, Pennsylvania]], U.S.
| death_date          = 
| death_place         = 
| party               = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] (2012–present)
| otherparty          = [[Independent politician|Independent]] (2010–2012)<br>[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] (before 2010)
| spouse              = {{plainlist|
* {{marriage|Amanda Morrow|1979|1980|end=div}}
* {{marriage|[[Carole Crist|Carole Oumano]]|2008|2017|end=div}}
}}
| education           = [[Wake Forest University]] (attended)<br>[[Florida State University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br />[[Samford University]] ([[Juris Doctor|JD]])
| signature           = Charlie Crist Signature.svg
}}
'''Charles Joseph Crist Jr.''' ({{IPAc-en|k|r|ɪ|s|t}} {{respell|KRIST}}; born July 24, 1956) is an American attorney and politician who served as the 44th [[List of governors of Florida|governor of Florida]] from 2007 to 2011 and as the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. representative]] for {{ushr|Florida|13}} from 2017 to 2022. Crist has been a member of the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] since 2012; he was previously a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] before becoming an [[Independent politician|independent]] in 2010.

Born in [[Pennsylvania]] and raised in [[St. Petersburg, Florida]], Crist graduated from [[Florida State University]] and [[Samford University]], where he received his [[Juris Doctor]] degree. He served in the [[Florida Senate]] from 1993 to 1999, vacating his seat to run unsuccessfully against incumbent [[Bob Graham]] for the [[United States Senate|U.S. Senate]] in [[United States Senate election in Florida, 1998|1998]]. He won a [[2000 Florida Education Commissioner special election|2000 special election]] to serve as [[Florida Department of Education|Florida education commissioner]] from 2001 to 2003 and a [[2002 Florida Attorney General election|2002 election]] to serve as [[Florida Attorney General|Florida attorney general]] from 2003 to 2007. He was elected Governor of Florida in [[2006 Florida gubernatorial election|2006]] after winning against Democrat [[Jim Davis (Florida politician)|Jim Davis]].

While he was governor, Crist again ran for the U.S. Senate in [[2010 United States Senate election in Florida|2010]]. He initially led in polls in the race for the Republican nomination, but was later overtaken by [[Marco Rubio]]. In April of that year, he left the Republican Party to run in the general election as an independent, losing to Rubio in a three-way race. He took 30% of the vote to Rubio's 49% and Democratic nominee [[Kendrick Meek]] had 20%. Crist's term as governor ended in January 2011.

On December 7, 2012, Crist joined the Democratic Party, having endorsed President [[Barack Obama]] for reelection in [[2012 United States presidential election|2012]]. On November 1, 2013, he announced that he was running for governor in the [[2014 Florida gubernatorial election|2014 election]]. Crist lost to Republican governor [[Rick Scott]], his successor, by a 1% margin. In [[2016 United States House of Representatives elections|2016]], Crist was elected to Congress from his home district, the St. Petersburg-based 13th, defeating incumbent Republican [[David Jolly]], 52%–48% and becoming the first Democrat to represent this district since 1955. In the [[117th United States Congress|117th Congress]], Crist was the only former governor serving in the House.

Crist was the Democratic nominee in the [[2022 Florida gubernatorial election]], resigning from the House in August 2022 to focus on his campaign. He was defeated by incumbent governor [[Ron DeSantis]] in a [[Landslide victory|landslide]].

On June 7, 2023, the [[White House]] announced Crist's nomination as U.S. ambassador to the [[International Civil Aviation Organization]], a [[United Nations]] agency; his nomination lapsed without action by the U.S. Senate, and expired at the end of the [[118th United States Congress|118th Congress]] on January 3, 2025.

==Early life and education==
Crist was born in [[Altoona, Pennsylvania]],<ref name="race">{{cite news |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sptimes/835232441.html?MAC=939a2bba9802553477e6bde045fe21f6&did=835232441&FMT=FT&FMTS=FT&date=May+9%2C+2005&author=LUCY+MORGAN&pub=St.+Petersburg+Times&printformat=&desc=Crist+will+enter+governor%27s+race |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130111082110/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sptimes/835232441.html?MAC=939a2bba9802553477e6bde045fe21f6&did=835232441&FMT=FT&FMTS=FT&date=May+9,+2005&author=LUCY+MORGAN&pub=St.+Petersburg+Times&printformat=&desc=Crist+will+enter+governor's+race |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 11, 2013 |title=Crist Will Enter Governor's Race |last=Morgan |first=Lucy |access-date=January 12, 2007 |date=May 9, 2005 |work=St. Petersburg Times |pages=1A }}</ref> on July 24, 1956, to Charles Joseph Crist, an American physician of [[Greek Cypriot]] and [[Lebanese American|Lebanese]] descent,<ref name="billmaher">{{cite episode |title=Charlie Crist, Tom Colicchio, Alicia Menendez, S. E. Cupp, P. J. O'Rourke |number=306 |episode-link=List of Real Time with Bill Maher episodes (2014)|series=[[Real Time with Bill Maher]] |network=HBO |airdate=February 7, 2014}}</ref> and Nancy (née Lee), of [[Scots-Irish American|Scots-Irish]], [[Swiss American|Swiss]], and [[Welsh American|Welsh]] descent.<ref name="billmaher"/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sptimes.com/2006/10/20/news_pf/State/Father_is_first_for_u.shtml |work=St. Petersburg Times |first=Steve |last=Bousquet |title=Father is first for unmarried politico |date=October 20, 2006 }}</ref> His family name is adapted from the original Greek name "[[Christodoulos]]".<ref name=medved>{{cite web |url=http://townhall.com/Columnists/MichaelMedved/2008/05/28/the_gop_veep_list_pros_and_cons |title=The GOP Veep List: Pros and Cons |last=Medved |first=Michael |author-link=Michael Medved |website=Townhall.com |date=May 28, 2008 |access-date=October 15, 2008}}</ref> As a child, Crist moved to [[St. Petersburg, Florida]], where he attended Riviera Junior High School and [[St. Petersburg High School]], from which he graduated in 1974. He is the second of four children and has three sisters: Margaret Crist Wood, Elizabeth Crist Hyden, and Catherine Crist Kennedy. He attended [[Wake Forest University]] for two years. While at Wake Forest, Crist was a walk-on quarterback for the Demon Deacons<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.tampabay.com/richard-burr-an-old-football-buddy-of-charlie-crist-says-crist-in-search/2151714/|title=Richard Burr, an old football buddy of Charlie Crist, says Crist 'in search of a title'|website=Tampa Bay Times|language=en|access-date=March 11, 2020}}</ref> during his freshman and sophomore years, before transferring to [[Florida State University]] in Tallahassee. Crist earned his undergraduate degree from Florida State, where he was elected vice president of the student body and joined the [[Pi Kappa Alpha]] fraternity. He received his [[Juris Doctor|J.D.]] from [[Samford University]] [[Cumberland School of Law]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Charlie Crist: A fuzzy line divides personal and political lives |url=http://www.sptimes.com/2006/08/27/State/Charlie_Crist__A_fuzz.shtml |website=Sarasota Herald Tribute |date=August 27, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1898151,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090517100609/http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1898151,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 17, 2009 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=May 14, 2009 |first1=Laura |last1=Fitzpatrick |first2=Lauren E. |last2=Bohn |title=2 Minute Bio}}</ref>

[[File:Quarterback Charlie Crist 1975.jpg|thumb|left|180px|alt=Charlie Crist played quarterback for the Wake Forest football team during the 1974 and 1975 seasons.|Charlie Crist played quarterback for the Wake Forest football team during the 1974 and 1975 seasons.]]

== Early career ==
After graduating from [[Cumberland School of Law]] in 1981, and passing the bar on his third attempt,<ref>{{cite news |first=Stephen |last=Hegarty |title=Candidate failed 2 bar exams; Florida's top educator, who hopes to be its top legal officer, says failing taught him "never give up". |url=http://www.sptimes.com/News/090101/State/Candidate_failed_2_ba.shtml |newspaper=St. Petersburg Times |date=September 1, 2001 |access-date=May 25, 2008 }}</ref> Crist was hired as general counsel to [[Minor League Baseball]], which was headquartered in St. Petersburg. Drawn to politics, Crist was a candidate for public office for the first time in 1986, in the Republican primary for a state Senate seat in [[Pinellas County, Florida|Pinellas County]]. After losing in a [[Two-round system|runoff]], Crist joined his brother-in-law in private practice in St. Petersburg, but soon returned to politics as an aide on the successful 1988 United States Senate campaign of [[Connie Mack III]], whom he has since described as his political mentor.<ref name="guns">{{cite web|url=http://www.tbo.com/news/metro/MGB5Q9E6NQE.html |date=August 9, 2006 |website=The Tampa Tribune |first=William |last=March |title=Sticking To His Guns |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060916182231/http://www.tbo.com/news/metro/MGB5Q9E6NQE.html |archive-date=September 16, 2006 }}</ref>

==Florida Senate==
[[File:Charlie Crist with other Florida State Senators.jpg|thumb|right|Crist as a [[Florida Senate|Florida state senator]]]]
In 1992, Crist was elected to a two-year term to the [[Florida Senate]] from the 20th District, which encompassed parts of St. Petersburg and [[South Tampa]].<ref name="handbook">{{cite book |title=''The Florida Handbook 2007–2008'' |author1=Morris, Allen |author2=Joan Perry Morris, compilers |page=31 |edition=31st Biennial |url=http://www.PeninsularPublishing.com |publisher=Peninsula Publishing |isbn=978-0-9765846-2-9}}</ref> He defeated longtime incumbent Democratic state senator [[Helen Davis|Helen Gordon Davis]] of [[Tampa]], 58.3 to 41.7%.<ref name=mh>{{cite news |first=Alex |last=Leary |title=Florida Democrats divided on redistricting, black representation |url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/05/15/v-fullstory/2218391/florida-democrats-divided-on-redistricting.html |newspaper=St. Petersburg Times |date=May 15, 2011 |access-date=May 16, 2011}}{{dead link|date=August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://results.elections.myflorida.com/Index.asp?ElectionDate=11/3/1992&DATAMODE=|title=November 3, 1992 General Election Official Results|website=Florida Division of Elections Results Archive|publisher=Florida Department of State|access-date=June 17, 2016}}</ref> Crist was able to unseat Gordon Davis following the 1992 decennial [[redistricting]] process, which significantly reconfigured the districts in the [[Tampa Bay]] area.<ref name=mh/> His victory was credited with helping to end the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]]'s 128-year control of the Florida Senate, as the Republicans netted three seats in 1992, resulting in a 20–20 tie between the parties.<ref name=mh/>

Crist was known as a [[Law and order (politics)|law-and-order]] senator, sponsoring legislation requiring inmates to [[Truth in sentencing|serve at least 85% of their sentences]] before becoming eligible for parole.<ref name="race" /> He supported teacher salary increases, [[charter school]]s, and a [[Vehicle registration plates of Florida|specialty license plate]] for [[Restoration of the Everglades|Everglades conservation]].<ref name="handbook" /> With Crist as chairman, the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee investigated actions of then-governor [[Lawton Chiles]] amid allegations that Chiles's campaign had made [[Push poll|"scare calls"]] to senior citizens days before the 1994 gubernatorial election. Chiles testified before the committee and admitted that his campaign had made the calls.<ref name="race" /><ref name="guns" />

In 1994, Crist was reelected to a four-year term in the Senate, defeating Democrat Dana Lynn Maley with 63.3% of the vote.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://results.elections.myflorida.com/Index.asp?ElectionDate=11/8/1994&DATAMODE=|title=November 8, 1994 General Election Official Results|website=Florida Division of Elections Results Archive|publisher=Florida Department of State|access-date=June 17, 2016}}</ref>

==U.S. Senate campaign and Florida education commissioner==
[[File:Crist as Education Commissioner.jpg|thumb|Crist in 2001|150px]]
Crist gained recognition in [[1998 United States Senate election in Florida|1998]] as the Republican challenger to incumbent Democratic U.S. senator [[Bob Graham]]. Crist campaigned conservatively on taxation, crime, and the ongoing [[Clinton–Lewinsky scandal]], but agreed with Graham on issues such as [[healthcare]] and [[Puerto Rico statehood movement|statehood for]] [[Puerto Rico]]. Crist also campaigned on being younger, more energetic, and more able to address Floridians' needs.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1998/10/18/graham-crist-on-the-issues/ |title=Graham, Crist on the issues |publisher=[[Tampa Bay Times]] |access-date=November 12, 2022}}</ref> He lost to Graham by 26 percentage points,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fec.gov/pubrec/fe1998/98senate.htm |title=1998 U.S. Senate results |publisher=[[Federal Election Commission]] |access-date=November 13, 2008}}</ref> but gained significant name recognition, and was appointed by Governor [[Jeb Bush]] to serve as the [[Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation|deputy secretary of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation]] in 1999 upon the conclusion of his Senate service.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.flgov.com/gov_biography |title=Biography of Governor Charlie Crist |publisher=Office of Governor Charlie Crist |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070204021052/http://www.flgov.com/gov_biography |access-date=November 12, 2022|archive-date=February 4, 2007 }}</ref> He served until 2000, when he ran for [[Florida Education Commissioner|Florida education commissioner]] in a [[2000 Florida Education Commissioner special election|November special election]] created by the resignation of incumbent commissioner [[Tom Gallagher]]. He won by over 500,000 votes and assumed the office in January 2001.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=52074 |title=FL Education Commissioner - Special |publisher=OurCampaigns |access-date=November 12, 2022}}</ref> Crist would ultimately be the last statewide elected education commissioner, as a 1998 amendment to the [[Constitution of Florida]] turned the position into one appointed by the [[governor of Florida]] after his departure.<ref name="guns" /> Crist left the office after he was elected attorney general in 2002.

==Florida attorney general==
In [[2002 Florida Attorney General election|2002]], Crist was elected Florida attorney general. His candidacy was supported by the host of ''[[America's Most Wanted]]'', [[John Walsh (television host)|John Walsh]]. Walsh and other supporters cited his work with the [[Center for Missing and Exploited Children]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=BUREAU |first=JOE FOLLICK SUN TALLAHASSEE |title=Crist first of GOP to file to run in governor's race |url=https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/2005/05/10/crist-first-of-gop-to-file-to-run-in-governors-race/31692660007/ |access-date=2023-11-05 |website=Gainesville Sun |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2007-02-15 |title=Crist donates extra inaugural funds to charities |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2007/02/15/crist-donates-extra-inaugural-funds-to-charities/ |access-date=2023-11-05 |website=Sun Sentinel |language=en-US}}</ref>

Civil rights and consumer groups praised Crist for expanding the attorney general's powers during his time in office. These powers enabled him and future attorneys general to have greater power to prosecute civil rights and fraud cases. Crist also worked to combat [[email spam]], freeze utility rates, end telecom deception, and protect the environment.<ref name="smiles">{{cite news |title=Victory Smiles at Charlie Crist |publisher=The International Coordinating Committee "Justice for Cyprus" (PSEKA) |url=http://news.pseka.net/index.php?module=article&id=5900 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606002828/http://news.pseka.net/index.php?module=article&id=5900 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 6, 2011 |date=October 20, 2006}}</ref>

==Governor of Florida==
[[File:Gov charlie crist.jpg|thumb|Crist's official portrait as Governor]]

===Tenure===
Crist was elected to the [[List of governors of Florida|governorship of Florida]] in [[2006 Florida gubernatorial election|the 2006 election]], defeating Democrat [[Jim Davis (Florida politician)|Jim Davis]] 52% to 45%. In his inaugural pledge to the people of Florida, he promised to lower taxes, improve the state education system, reduce crime, lower drug costs, expand access to health insurance, assist senior citizens, and protect the environment.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.flgov.com/gov_pledge |title=Pledge/Philosophy of Governor Charlie Crist |publisher= Office of Governor Charlie Crist |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070204053107/http://www.flgov.com/gov_pledge |access-date=November 12, 2022|archive-date=February 4, 2007 }}</ref> However, his promise to lower taxes would prove to be difficult to keep during the Great Recession, and he eventually relented in 2009 after being sent a budget by the Florida legislature which included a 2.2 billion dollar raise in taxes and fees.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2014/jul/10/republican-party-florida/florida-gop-says-charlie-crist-raised-taxes-22-bil/ |title=Says Charlie Crist "raised taxes on the middle class" by $2.2 billion |publisher= [[PolitiFact]] |access-date=November 12, 2022}}</ref> He also had a mixed record on environmental issues.<ref name="auto2">{{cite news|title=Deal to Save Everglades May Help Sugar Firm|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/08/us/08everglades.html|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=January 29, 2014|first1=Don|last1=Van Natta Jr|first2=Damien|last2=Cave|date=March 7, 2010}}</ref><ref name="enn">{{cite news |publisher=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/governmentFilingsNews/idUSN1125764520070711 |title=Florida To Introduce Tough Greenhouse Gas Targets |date=July 11, 2007 |first=Jim |last=Loney |access-date=August 21, 2009}}</ref><ref name="auto3">{{Cite web |title=Energy News - 2007: Governor Crist Sets New Energy and Environmental Agenda for Florida |url=http://fsec.ucf.edu/en/media/enews/2007/2007-05_energy_agenda.htm |access-date=2023-01-25 |website=fsec.ucf.edu}}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{Cite web |title=In Switch, Florida's Crist Eyes Offshore Drilling |website=[[NPR]] |date=June 19, 2008 |url=https://www.npr.org/2008/06/19/91680890/in-switch-floridas-crist-eyes-offshore-drilling |access-date=2023-07-06 |last1=Allen |first1=Greg }}</ref>

Nonetheless, Crist remained widely popular with Floridians during his term, and in a June 2007 [[Quinnipiac University]] polling survey, Crist had a 70 percent [[approval rating]] among Floridians.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gov. Charlie Crist's popularity stays sky-high |newspaper=The Stuart News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-stuart-news-gov-charlie-crists-pop/131006591/ |last=Man |first=Anthony |date=June 18, 2007}}</ref> An April 2009 poll showed him with a 68 percent approval rating among Republicans and independents and a 66 percent approval rating among Democrats.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/04/15/poll-crist-approval-high-across-the-board/ |title=Poll: Crist approval high across the board |publisher=[[CNN]] |access-date=April 15, 2009 |archive-date=April 19, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090419213336/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/04/15/poll-crist-approval-high-across-the-board/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Crist drew criticism from the right for supporting the Obama administration's [[American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009|economic stimulus plan]].<ref name="stimulus">{{cite news|website=Forbes |agency=Associated Press |title=Fla. gov touts stimulus package benefit at meeting |url=https://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/01/27/ap5968997.html |date=January 27, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20090205123942/http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/01/27/ap5968997.html |archive-date=February 5, 2009 }}</ref><ref name="auto4">{{cite news |title=Crist: Stimulus will help Florida |publisher=MSNBC |work=Morning Joe |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036789/#28933203|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040202050816/http://msnbc.msn.com/id/3036789/#28933203|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 2, 2004}}</ref><ref name="auto5">{{cite news |publisher=NBC News |work=Hardball |title=GOP Gov Support Obama Stimulus |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/21134540 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130129090138/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/21134540/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 29, 2013 }}</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite news|newspaper=Miami Herald |title=GOP seethes over Charlie Crist's stimulus-plan support |url=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics/story/901859.html |first=Adam C. |last=Smith |date=February 13, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091007103945/http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics/story/901859.html |archive-date=October 7, 2009 }}</ref> In 2010, rather than seek reelection as governor, he left the Republican Party to run for the Senate as an independent. Shortly thereafter, Crist announced that he had moderated his views against LGBT adoption and marriage.<ref name="LimAdoption">Dara Kim, [https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-2010-09-14-fl-crist-gay-rights-20100914-story.html Crist: I've had 'appropriate evolution' on gay rights], ''Palm Beach Post'' (September 14, 2010).</ref>

===Fundraising controversies===
In February 2006, Crist attended a fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago, hosted by future president [[Donald Trump]], with guests paying $500 to attend. Two of the guests became subjects of controversy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.judicialwatch.org/florida-attorney-general-hot-water/|title=Florida Attorney General In Hot Water|date=February 13, 2006|website=Judicial Watch}}</ref> Crist returned $1,000 in campaign contributions to one of those guests as a result.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080206160843/http://www.sptimes.com/2006/02/13/State/Crist_sees_a_fluster_.shtml ''St. Petersburg Times'' (Associated Press), "Crist sees a fluster over two donations", February 13, 2006]</ref>

In 2009, Crist saw the man he had chosen as Florida GOP finance chairman, his former fraternity brother, oil magnate [[Harry Sargeant III]], forced to step down.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/fl-ne-who-are-trump-players-20191007-yndltrxvcnbudnviwoejkfy6um-story.html | title=Who are the three South Florida businessmen tangled in Trump impeachment inquiry? | date=October 7, 2019 }}</ref> One of Sargeant's employees, Ala'a al-Ali of the Dominican Republic, was indicted in Los Angeles for organizing $5,000 in illegal campaign contributions to Crist, as well as $50,000 to presidential candidates [[Hillary Clinton]], [[John McCain]] and [[Rudy Giuliani]].<ref>[https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/article24527335.html ''Miami Herald'' (via ''McClatchy''), "Feds say $5,000 donation to Florida Gov. Crist is illegal". February 27, 2009 (accessed October 16, 2019)]</ref>

==Role in the 2008 presidential election==
[[File:Charlie Crist cropped.jpg|thumb|Crist in Brazil, 2007]]
Senator [[John McCain]] endorsed Crist's 2006 campaign for governor, traveling the state to campaign with him. The day before the general election, Crist held a campaign event with McCain in [[Jacksonville, Florida|Jacksonville]]. Later, when the Republican presidential primary debates were held in [[St. Petersburg, Florida|St. Petersburg]], Crist embraced McCain. Former [[New York City Mayor|New York City mayor]] [[Rudy Giuliani]], who had also campaigned for Crist during the gubernatorial election, had sought his endorsement.<ref>Seattle Times "We'll win Florida, Giuliani says" {{cite news |first=Michael D. |last=Shear |title='We'll win Florida,' Giuliani says |date=January 12, 2008 |newspaper=The Washington Post
 |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2004121276_rudy12.html |access-date=November 20, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202223326/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2004121276_rudy12.html |archive-date=December 2, 2008  }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-01-17 |title=Giuliani pins his hopes on Florida |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna22706715 |access-date=2023-11-09 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2008-01-30-104286216_x.htm |title=Gov Crist could benefit from McCain win |agency=Associated Press |last=Farrington |first=Brendan |date=January 30, 2008 |access-date=November 13, 2008 |work=USA Today}}</ref><ref>The Boston Globe "Calling McCain a true American hero fla governor endorses" [https://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/01/27/calling_McCain_a_true_american_hero_fla_governor_endorses_senator/] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724120030/http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/01/27/calling_McCain_a_true_american_hero_fla_governor_endorses_senator/|date=July 24, 2008}}</ref>

In May 2007, Crist signed legislation moving the date of Florida's presidential primary to January 29, 2008, contrary to national political party rules.<ref>AP and Fox News "Florida Governor Signs Bill to Move Up Presidential Primary to January" [http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,274254,00.html] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070920173255/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0%2C2933%2C274254%2C00.html|date=September 20, 2007}}</ref> Crist joined Michigan governor [[Jennifer Granholm]] in asking that their states' delegates be seated. Both national conventions ended up seating all delegates, but with only a half vote each for the sanctioned states.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Santora |first=Marc |date=2007-08-29 |title=G.O.P. Plans Early-Primary Penalties |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/29/us/politics/29calendar.html |access-date=2023-07-06 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Herald |first=Miami |title=All 114 FL delegates get seats on GOP convention floor {{!}} Naked Politics |url=https://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2008/08/all-114-fl-dele.html |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=miamiherald.typepad.com}}</ref><ref>CNN, "Florida, Michigan get all delegates, but each gets half vote" [http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/05/31/dems.delegates/index.html] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081113131005/http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/05/31/dems.delegates/index.html|date=November 13, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Parnes |first=Amie |date=2008-02-25 |title=Florida Gov. wants all delegates seated |url=https://www.politico.com/blogs/politico-now/2008/02/florida-gov-wants-all-delegates-seated-006496 |access-date=2023-11-09 |website=POLITICO |language=en}}</ref>

On January 26, 2008, Crist endorsed McCain in the Republican primary.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/florida/story/395209.html |title=McCain scores Crist's endorsement |work=[[Miami Herald]] |date=January 26, 2008 |access-date=October 14, 2008}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> McCain won the Florida primary by five percentage points.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.flanews.com/?p=1693 |title=Crist's Endorsement Helped McCain Defeat Romney |publisher=Capitol News Service |last=Ray |first=Whitney |date=January 27, 2008 |access-date=November 13, 2008}}</ref>

On October 28, 2008, Crist extended early voting hours of operation and declared that a "state of emergency exists", due to record voter turnout and resultant hours-long waits at locations throughout the state.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/10/28/crist_extends_early_voting_hou.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603130950/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/10/28/crist_extends_early_voting_hou.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 3, 2012 |title=Crist Extends Early Voting Hours in Fla. |newspaper=The Washington Post |last=Flaherty |first=Mary Pat |date=October 28, 2008 |access-date=November 22, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics/florida/story/745715.html |title=Florida's Early Voting Hours Are Extended |work=[[Miami Herald]] |last1=Rabin |first1=Charles |first2=Jennifer |last2=Lebovich |first3=Marc |last3=Caputo |date=October 29, 2008 |access-date=November 22, 2008}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>

On November 12–14, 2008, Crist hosted the [[Republican Governors Association]] (RGA) annual meeting in [[Miami, FL|Miami]]. Held the week after the [[2008 United States elections|Democratic Party victories in the 2008 election]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-11-04 |title=Barack Obama Wins Presidency - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/barack-obama-wins-presidency/ |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref> there was speculation about the meeting's tone. Then Alaska governor [[Sarah Palin]], the defeated 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee, was a featured participant and speaker.

Crist's speech at the RGA conference, "Listen to the Voters and Serve", included his sentiments on how the GOP should evolve:

{{blockquote|This party can no longer hope to reach Hispanics, African Americans and other minority groups&nbsp;– we need to just do it. Embracing cultures and lifestyles will make us a better party and better leaders. This desire for inclusiveness is near and dear to my heart&nbsp;... Last week, the American people made a choice and this week, if we choose to call ourselves leaders, if we truly endeavor to serve with a servant's heart for the people who count on us, then we too must work together, listen to one another and learn from the leaders who made the kind of history the American people deserve.<ref>A Message from Charlie "Listen to the Voters and Serve" By Charlie Crist http://www.charliecrist.com/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101028214441/http://www.charliecrist.com/ |date=October 28, 2010 }}</ref>}}

Crist held a joint interview with Governor [[Mark Sanford]] of [[South Carolina]] in which they discussed the split in the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] over where to direct the party's efforts to gain more voters.<ref>Bloomberg News "Governors Crist, Sanford Split Over Republican Path to Success" https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aahiSQ2bhTN8</ref>

==2010 U.S. Senate campaign==
{{Main|2010 United States Senate election in Florida}}
{{Wikinews|Musician David Byrne sues Florida governor over campaign song}}
On May 12, 2009, Crist announced that he would not run for reelection as governor in 2010, making him the first Florida governor not to run for reelection since 1964.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://editions.lib.umn.edu/smartpolitics/2013/04/02/charlie-crist-there-and-back-a/ |title= Charlie Crist: There and Back Again? |publisher=Smart Politics |first=Eric |last=Ostermeier |date=April 2, 2013}}</ref> Instead he ran for the [[US Senate]]. His two main opponents were former Florida House speaker [[Marco Rubio]],<ref>{{cite news |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/13/us/13cristq.html |date=May 12, 2009 |title=Restless in Tallahassee, or With Eye on 2012, Governor Rolls Dice |first1=Damien |last1=Cave |first2=Gary |last2=Fineout |access-date=August 21, 2009}}</ref><ref>Miami Herald "Is Republican Party united behind Charlie Crist?" [http://www.miamiherald.com/515/story/1045369.html]{{dead link|date=August 2013}}</ref> and U.S. representative [[Kendrick Meek]].<ref>{{cite news |work=Miami Herald |title=Kendrick Meek raises $1.5 million for Senate bid |first=Beth |last=Reinhard |date=April 2, 2009|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/569/story/980067.html}}{{dead link|date=August 2013}}</ref>

Crist was initially the front-runner in the Republican primary, but later trailed Rubio in polls.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/poll-crist-ahead-if-he-runs-as-independent/|title=Poll: Crist Ahead If He Runs As Independent|date=April 15, 2010 |publisher=CBS News|access-date=April 17, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/will-charlie-crist-run-as-an-independent/|title=Will Charlie Crist Run as an Independent?|last=Finn|first=Tyler|date=April 16, 2010|publisher=CBS News|access-date=April 17, 2010}}</ref>

Crist announced his intent to run as an unaffiliated candidate in the election, while at the same time, according to a press release from his campaign, he remained a registered Republican.<ref name="OrlandoSentinel-Apr3010">{{cite news |title=Crist's independent run draws praise – and scorn |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-2010-04-30-os-crist-independent-20100429-story.html}}''Orlando Sentinel'', April 30, 2010.</ref> Crist officially changed his registration status to "non party affiliated" on May 13, 2010. He did not return campaign contributions made while he was a Republican.<ref>{{cite news |last=Reinhard |first=Beth |url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/05/13/1626770/crist-no-refunds-for-former-fans.html |title=Charlie Crist won't refund campaign donations - Florida |website=Miami Herald |date=May 13, 2010 |access-date=August 17, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100605140510/http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/05/13/1626770/crist-no-refunds-for-former-fans.html |archive-date=June 5, 2010}}</ref><ref>[http://www.politifact.com/florida/statements/2010/may/19/charlie-crist/gov-charlie-crist-changes-course-keeping-campaign-/ Gov. Charlie Crist changes course on returning campaign donations] PolitiFact (''Tampa Bay Tribune'' / ''Miami Herald'') May 19, 2010 "Crist said he would 'probably give it back to them', leading donors to believe that as the dictionary states it was 'to be expected' or 'without much doubt' that they would see some of their cash back from Crist. We find Crist completely changed his position from entertaining the idea of giving the money back, to definitely not giving the money back. Our verdict: Full Flop."</ref> Crist lost the general election, receiving 29.7% of the vote to Rubio's 48.9% and Meek's 20.2%.<ref>{{cite web |last=Florida Division of Elections |url=https://election.dos.state.fl.us/elections/resultsarchive/Index.asp?ElectionDate=11/2/2010&DATAMODE= |title=Official Results of 2010 Election |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129120307/http://election.dos.state.fl.us/elections/resultsarchive/Index.asp?ElectionDate=11%2F2%2F2010&DATAMODE= |archive-date=November 29, 2014  }}</ref>

In April 2011, as part of a settlement of a copyright lawsuit brought by musician [[David Byrne]], Crist apologized for his Senate campaign's use of Byrne's song "[[Road to Nowhere]]" without permission.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/david-byrne-forces-charlie-crist-record-embarrassing-apology-20110412-103915-351.html|title=David Byrne forces Charlie Crist to record embarrassing apology for stealing Talking Heads song|website=news.yahoo.com|date=April 12, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4k13LmlcUE |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/s4k13LmlcUE| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title=Charlie Crist Official Apology to David Byrne for Copyright Infringement}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

By the spring of 2015, there was speculation that Crist would seek the Democratic nomination for the [[2016 United States Senate election in Florida]]. This would have been his third run for the seat (he lost in 1998 and 2010). In March 2015, Crist said he would not seek the nomination. In the same month he endorsed U.S. congressman [[Patrick Murphy (Florida politician)|Patrick Murphy]]'s Senate candidacy.

==Hiatus (2011–2014)==
In January 2011, Crist joined the [[Tampa, Florida|Tampa]] office of national personal injury law firm [[Morgan & Morgan]] after expressing an interest in returning to the legal field during his final week in office as governor of Florida. Crist worked primarily in the firm's class-action sector as a complex-litigation attorney, serving as a "[[Rainmaker (business)|rainmaker]]" for the firm.<ref name="DixonMorgan">Matt Dixon, [http://www.naplesnews.com/news/state/charlie-crist-touted-as-attorney-for-morgan--morgan-but-hasnt-been-in-court-ep-504428072-341006661.html Charlie Crist: Touted as attorney for Morgan & Morgan, but hasn't been in court] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508092653/http://www.naplesnews.com/news/state/charlie-crist-touted-as-attorney-for-morgan--morgan-but-hasnt-been-in-court-ep-504428072-341006661.html |date=May 8, 2016 }}, ''Naples Daily News'' (July 21, 2014).</ref> In November 2016, after almost six years with the firm, he was elected to represent Florida's 13th congressional district.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/democrat-charlie-crist-elected-floridas-13th-district|title=New Member: Democrat Charlie Crist Elected in Florida's 13th District|date=November 9, 2016|website=Roll Call|access-date=April 24, 2017|archive-date=November 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111062034/http://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/democrat-charlie-crist-elected-floridas-13th-district|url-status=dead}}</ref> In February 2018, Brad Slager of ''Sunshine State News'', cited evidence that Morgan & Morgan was "attempting to purge all evidence" of its relationship with Crist now that he was a "rookie congressman" with "little-to-no power".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Slager |first1=Brad |title=Is Morgan & Morgan Trying to Memory-Hole Charlie Crist? |url=http://sunshinestatenews.com/story/morgan-morgan-trying-memory-hole-charlie-crist |website=Sunshine State News |access-date=September 1, 2018}}</ref>

In 2013, Crist performed paid consulting work for Coastal Construction, a Miami-based construction firm owned by Crist's longtime friend Tom Murphy, the father of former U.S. representative [[Patrick Murphy (Florida politician)|Patrick Murphy]].<ref name="DixonMorgan"/>

Crist has been a part-time guest lecturer at [[Stetson University College of Law]],<ref>Becky Bowers, [http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/gubernatorial/charlie-crist-is-a-big-hit-in-first-law-lecture-at-stetson/1163329 Charlie Crist is a big hit in first law lecture at Stetson] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506062656/http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/gubernatorial/charlie-crist-is-a-big-hit-in-first-law-lecture-at-stetson/1163329 |date=May 6, 2016 }}, ''Tampa Bay Times'' (April 12, 2011).</ref> with the title of Distinguished Professorial Lecturer.<ref>[http://www.stetson.edu/law/news/index.php/2011/02/28/crist-will-be-distinguished-professorial-lecturer/ Crist will be Distinguished Professorial Lecturer] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160429204058/http://www.stetson.edu/law/news/index.php/2011/02/28/crist-will-be-distinguished-professorial-lecturer/ |date=April 29, 2016 }}, Stetson University (February 28, 2011).</ref>

In August 2012, Crist endorsed President [[Barack Obama|Obama]] in his [[Barack Obama presidential campaign, 2012|campaign for reelection]] over Republican nominee [[Mitt Romney]], saying that the Republican Party "pitched so far to the extreme right on issues important to women, immigrants, seniors and students that they've proven incapable of governing for the people."<ref>Vanessa Williams, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/election-2012/wp/2012/08/26/former-fla-governor-charlie-crist-endorses-obama/ Former Fla. governor Charlie Crist endorses Obama] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506062226/https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/election-2012/wp/2012/08/26/former-fla-governor-charlie-crist-endorses-obama/ |date=May 6, 2016}}, ''Washington Post'' (August 26, 2012).</ref><ref>Charlie Crist, [Here's why I'm backing Barack Obama], ''Tampa Bay Times'' (August 26, 2012).</ref> Crist was a speaker at the [[2012 Democratic National Convention]] in [[Charlotte, North Carolina]], saying, "I didn't leave the Republican Party; it left me."<ref>Emily Schultheis, [https://www.politico.com/story/2012/09/crist-speaks-to-dem-convention-080883 Charlie Crist defends Obama at DNC], ''Politico'' (September 6, 2012).</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwYVraqaTn4 Charlie Crist Remarks at 2012 Democratic National Convention] (official video).</ref>

===Party switch and ''The Party's Over''===
On December 7, 2012, Crist announced that he had joined the Democratic Party.<ref name="changing">{{cite news |date=December 8, 2012 |title=Changing Affiliation Again, Former Governor of Florida Becomes a Democrat |work=[[The New York Times]] |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/09/us/politics/charlie-crist-former-florida-governor-joins-democratic-party.html |access-date=March 26, 2013}}</ref> In July 2013, Crist began writing a book, with ''[[Newsday]]'' columnist [[Ellis Henican]], about his political transition.<ref>{{cite news|title=Charlie Crist has "no-holds-barred" book coming out|url=http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/charlie-crist-has-no-holds-barred-book-coming-out/2130689|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130714002341/http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/charlie-crist-has-no-holds-barred-book-coming-out/2130689|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 14, 2013|website=Tampa Bay Times |access-date=January 15, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Charlie Crist Is Writing A Book Because He Is Likely Going To Run For Governor Of Florida|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/10/charlie-crist-book-florida_n_3575416.html|work=The Huffington Post|access-date=January 15, 2014|first=Jason|last=Linkins|date=July 10, 2013}}</ref> The book, ''The Party's Over: How the Extreme Right Hijacked the GOP and I Became a Democrat'', was released in February 2014.<ref>{{cite news |title=Former Florida Governor Charlie Crist attacks rivals in new book|url=http://www.wtsp.com/rss/article/351855/250/Charlie-Crist-attacks-rivals-in-new-book|publisher=WTSP|access-date=January 15, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Charlie Crist attacks rivals in new book|url=http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/403455/matt-dixon/2014-01-08/charlie-crist-attacks-rivals-book|website=The Florida Times-Union|access-date=January 15, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Charlie Crist's new book: Rick Scott is a 'terrible governor,' Sarah Palin is 'different'|url=https://www.tampabay.com/charlie-crists-new-book-rick-scott-is-a-terrible-governor-sarach-palin-is/2160188/|website=Tampa Bay Times|access-date=January 15, 2014}}</ref> In the book, Crist said that his career in the Republican Party was destroyed by a hug between him and Obama at a [[Fort Myers]] town hall on February 10, 2009. "It was the kind of hug I'd exchanged with thousands and thousands of Floridians over the years", Crist wrote. "I didn't think a thing about it as it was happening." But it "ended my viable life as a Republican politician. I would never have a future in my old party again. My bipartisan hopes and dreams, I would discover soon enough to my shock and disappointment, were vastly overstated and hopelessly out of date."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Crist |first1=Charlie |title=The Hug That Killed My Republican Career |url=https://time.com/4608/the-hug-that-killed-my-republican-career/ |magazine=Time |access-date=September 1, 2018}}</ref>

In May 2014, Crist told [[Fusion TV|Fusion]]'s [[Jorge Ramos (news anchor)|Jorge Ramos]] that he had left the Republican Party because of its racial attitudes. "I couldn't be consistent with myself and my core beliefs, and stay with a party that was so unfriendly toward the African-American president—I'll just go there", Crist said. "I was a Republican and I saw the activists and what they were doing. It was intolerable to me." ''[[The Washington Post]]''{{'s}} [[Chris Cillizza]] rejected this claim, citing ''[[Tampa Bay Times]]'' political editor Adam Smith as saying that Crist "was happy as a Republican when the polls showed him leading Marco Rubio by 20 points." Cilizza wrote that Crist's party switch "epitomized for many within the Republican base that Crist lacked any core principles or beliefs and, instead, simply went with whatever was popular at the moment."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cillizza |first1=Chris |author-link=Chris Cillizza |title=Charlie Crist didn't leave the Republican party because of racism. He left it because he couldn't win a primary. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2014/05/08/charlie-crist-didnt-leave-the-republican-party-because-of-racism-he-left-it-because-he-couldnt-win-a-primary/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=September 15, 2018}}</ref>

In a review in ''[[The New Republic]]'', [[Isaac Chotiner]] called ''The Party's Over'' "a dishonest and boring memoir" by "a man with no convictions".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chotiner |first1=Isaac |title=Charlie Crist's Achingly Bad Search for Self |url=https://newrepublic.com/article/116435/charlie-crists-partys-over-reviewed-isaac-chotiner |magazine=[[The New Republic]] |access-date=September 15, 2018}}</ref> Writing in ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' magazine in 2014, Jeb Lund described Crist as "a Republican conveniently converted to Democrat", adding, "what made Crist dynamic as a Republican&nbsp;... was a vaguely populist nose-thumbing at Republican orthodoxy", and that "Charlie Crist is a Democrat only if you are a Republican."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lund |first1=Jeb |title=The Florida Farce: Rick Scott Vs. Charlie Crist |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/the-florida-farce-rick-scott-vs-charlie-crist-20140929 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=September 15, 2018}}</ref>

==2014 gubernatorial election==
{{Main|2014 Florida gubernatorial election}}
On November 1, 2013, Crist filed to run for governor as a Democrat.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ex-GOP Fla. Gov. Crist to run for job as Democrat|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/nov/1/ex-gop-fla-gov-crist-run-job-democrat/|work=The Washington Times|access-date=November 1, 2013}}</ref> He won the Democratic nomination but was defeated in the general election by Republican incumbent [[Rick Scott]] by a vote of 2,865,343 (48%) to 2,801,198 (47%), [https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?fips=12&year=2014&f=0&off=5&elect=0] Crist holds the rare distinction of losing a statewide general election in Florida as a [[1998 United States Senate election in Florida|Republican]], a [[2014 Florida gubernatorial election|Democrat]] and an [[2010 United States Senate election in Florida|Independent]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Charlie Crist: Man of the people or political opportunist? |url=https://baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2021/05/01/charlie-crist--man-of-the-people-or-political-opportunist- |access-date=2023-11-05 |website=baynews9.com |language=en}}</ref>

==U.S. House of Representatives==
[[File:Charlie Crist US Congress.jpg|200px|thumb|Crist as a member of the U.S. Congress]]

===Elections===
====2016====
On October 20, 2015, Crist announced that he would seek the Democratic nomination for [[Florida's 13th congressional district]], his home district, in the [[2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida#District 13|2016 U.S. House of Representatives elections]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/charlie-crist-announces-hes-running-for-congress/2250475/ |title=Former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist announces he's running for Congress |work=Tampa Bay Times |access-date=October 21, 2015}}</ref> He had previously announced on [[Twitter]] that he would not run for [[political office]] in [[2016 United States elections|2016]].<ref>{{cite tweet|user=CharlieCrist|number=577582802796875776 |title=I will not be seeking office in 2016, but I will be working alongside my fellow @FlaDems. Join me at http://t.co/VGsDGXVgvk.|date=March 16, 2015 |accessdate=October 21, 2015}}</ref> Republican incumbent [[David Jolly]], who succeeded 43-year incumbent [[Bill Young (Florida politician)|Bill Young]] in a 2014 special election, was vacating the seat to run for the same Senate seat for which Crist ran in 1998 and 2010.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-07-20 |title=Jolly announces run for U.S. Senate |url=https://www.fox13news.com/news/jolly-announces-run-for-u-s-senate |access-date=2023-11-05 |website=FOX 13 Tampa Bay |language=en-US}}</ref>

But when Senator [[Marco Rubio]] decided to run for reelection, Jolly dropped out of the Senate race and sought reelection to the House, even though the 13th District had become significantly friendlier to Democrats when a court tossed out Florida's original congressional map. The new map drew nearly all of St. Petersburg, along with most of the more Democratic southern portion of [[Pinellas County, Florida|Pinellas County]], into the 13th.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/post/crist-revives-political-career-win-over-jolly|title=Crist Revives Political Career With Win over Jolly|publisher=[[WUSF (FM)|WUSF]]|first1=Steve|last1=Newborn|first2=Mark|last2=Schreiner|date=November 9, 2016}}</ref> The district had been in Republican hands without interruption since 1955, and had been one of the first areas of Florida to turn Republican. However, it had become more of a swing district at the presidential level since the 1990s; it has supported a Democrat for president in all but two elections since 1992.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pinellas Democrats enter race for congressional seat held by Anna Paulina Luna |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2023/10/24/anna-paulina-luna-congress-whitney-fox-psta-democrat-pinellas/ |access-date=2023-11-05 |website=Tampa Bay Times |language=en}}</ref>

In the general election, Crist defeated Jolly by a vote of 184,693 (52%) to 171,149 (48%),<ref name="politicoresults">{{Cite web|url=https://west.ops.politico.com/2016-election/results/map/house/florida/|title=Florida Election Results 2016: House Live Map by District, Real-Time Voting Updates|website=Election Hub}}{{dead link|date=June 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> becoming the first Democrat to win the seat in 62 years.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-31 |title=Florida Democratic gubernatorial nominee Charlie Crist resigns from Congress - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/charlie-crist-resigns-congress-democratic-nominee-for-governor-ron-desantis/ |access-date=2023-11-05 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

====2018====
In 2018, Crist was endorsed by the [[League of Conservation Voters]] (LCV) Action Fund, which called him "a leader on protecting Florida from and planning for the impacts of climate change during his time as Governor and in Congress."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Auster |first1=Craig |title=LCV Action Fund Endorses Charlie Crist For Re-Election |url=https://www.lcv.org/article/lcv-action-fund-endorses-charlie-crist-re-election/ |publisher=League of Conservative Voters |access-date=September 1, 2018}}</ref> Crist won a second term by A vote of 182,717 (58%) to 134,254 (42%).

====2020====
Crist was re-elected to a third term in the 2020 election, defeating Republican [[Anna Paulina Luna]] by a vote of 215,405 (53%) to 190,713 (47%).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Florida's 13th Congressional District election, 2020 |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Florida's_13th_Congressional_District_election,_2020 |access-date=2025-01-22 |website=Ballotpedia |language=en}}</ref>

===Tenure===
Crist was sworn in on January 3, 2017. He was a member of the [[Blue Dog Coalition]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Members|url=https://bluedogcaucus-costa.house.gov/members|publisher=Blue Dog Coalition|access-date=February 7, 2018|archive-date=June 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190630011533/https://bluedogcaucus-costa.house.gov/members|url-status=dead}}</ref> the [[New Democrat Coalition]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Members|url=https://newdemocratcoalition-himes.house.gov/members|publisher=New Democrat Coalition|access-date=February 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208100356/https://newdemocratcoalition-himes.house.gov/members|archive-date=February 8, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> the [[Climate Solutions Caucus]]<ref name="Citizen's Climate Lobby">{{cite web|title=90 Current Climate Solutions Caucus Members|url=https://citizensclimatelobby.org/climate-solutions-caucus/|publisher=Citizen's Climate Lobby |access-date=October 20, 2018}}</ref> and the [[U.S.–Japan Caucus]].<ref name="Members">{{cite web|title=Members|url=https://usjapancaucus-castro.house.gov/members|publisher=U.S. - Japan Caucus|access-date=January 12, 2019}}</ref>

[[First impeachment of Donald Trump|On December 18, 2019]], Crist voted for both [[Article of impeachment|articles]] of [[Federal impeachment in the United States|impeachment]] against President [[Donald Trump]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-impeachment-vote-results-house-2019-12|title = WHIP COUNT: Here's which members of the House voted for and against impeaching Trump|website = [[Business Insider]]}}</ref>

On January 13, 2021, Crist voted in favor of the single article of impeachment against President Trump during the [[second impeachment of Donald Trump]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/202117|title = Roll Call 17: Bill Number: H. Res. 24|website = clerk.house.gov|date=January 13, 2021|access-date=August 24, 2022}}</ref>

Crist introduced H.R. 305, which presented the [[Congressional Gold Medal]] to Officer [[Eugene Goodman (police officer)|Eugene Goodman]] for his valor during the [[January 6 United States Capitol attack]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Crist|first=Charlie|date=January 13, 2021 |title=H.R.305 - 117th Congress (2021-2022): Officer Eugene Goodman Congressional Gold Medal Act|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/305|access-date=June 2, 2021|website=www.congress.gov}}</ref>

On August 31, 2022, Crist resigned from Congress to focus on his gubernatorial campaign.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ellenbogen |first=Romy |date=August 31, 2022 |title=Charlie Crist resigns from Congress as campaign for governor heats up |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2022/08/31/charlie-crist-resigns-from-congress-as-campaign-for-governor-heats-up/ |access-date=August 31, 2022 |website=[[Tampa Bay Times]] |language=en}}</ref>

===Committee assignments===
* [[United States House Committee on Appropriations|Committee on Appropriations]]
** [[United States House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense|Subcommittee on Defense]]
** [[United States House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies|Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies]]
** [[United States House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government|Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government]]
* [[United States House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology|Committee on Science, Space, and Technology]]
** [[United States House Science Subcommittee on Environment|Subcommittee on Environment]]
** [[United States House Science Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics|Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics]]

===Caucus memberships===
* [[New Democrat Coalition]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Members|url=https://newdemocratcoalition-himes.house.gov/members|publisher=New Democrat Coalition|access-date=February 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208100356/https://newdemocratcoalition-himes.house.gov/members|archive-date=February 8, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Blue Dog Coalition]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Members|url=https://bluedogcaucus-costa.house.gov/members|publisher=Blue Dog Coalition|access-date=December 23, 2018|archive-date=June 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190630011533/https://bluedogcaucus-costa.house.gov/members|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Climate Solutions Caucus]]<ref name="Citizen's Climate Lobby"/>
* [[U.S.–Japan Caucus]]<ref name="Members"/>

== 2022 gubernatorial election ==
{{Main|2022 Florida gubernatorial election}}
[[File:Charlie Crist with Karla Hernández-Mats, 2022.jpg|thumb|250px|upright|alt=A man with white hair wearing a suit with a purple tie stands with a woman with black hair wearing a yellow jacket and a black shirt with a blue necklace.|Crist with his running mate, [[Karla Hernández-Mats]]]]
On May 4, 2021, Crist announced his intention to run for the Democratic nomination in the [[2022 Florida gubernatorial election]] against incumbent [[Ron DeSantis]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Mazzei |first=Patricia |date=May 4, 2021 |title=Charlie Crist, a Florida Democrat, will run against DeSantis for governor. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/04/us/charlie-crist-florida-governor.html |access-date=May 4, 2021 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> "[I'm] running on decency and mutual respect," Crist explained. "I love people. And I feel for 'em right now. Gay people. Women. Blacks. They're getting the crap kicked out of 'em by this guy. It's wrong. Somebody has to stop him."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.yahoo.com/running-hug-inside-charlie-crist-083000442.html |title= Running on 'the Hug': Inside Charlie Crist's Risky Strategy to Dethrone Ron DeSantis |date= April 2022 |publisher= [[Yahoo News]] |access-date=November 12, 2022}}</ref> Crist won the primary election on August{{nbsp}}23, 2022, and advanced to face DeSantis in the general election on November 8, 2022. Crist's running mate for lieutenant governor was union leader Karla Hernández-Mats, president of the United Teachers of Dade.<ref>{{cite news |title=As DeSantis Campaigns on Education, Crist Picks Teacher as Running Mate |work=The New York Times |last=Mazzei |first=Patricia |date=August 27, 2022|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/27/us/charlie-crist-karla-hernandez-mats-florida-gov.html |access-date=August 27, 2022|url-access = limited}}</ref> However, Crist was defeated by DeSantis, by a vote of 4,614,210 (59%) to 3,106,313 (40%). [https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?year=2022&off=5&elect=0&fips=12&f=0] <ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-11-09 |title=DeSantis defeats Crist, wins second term as Florida governor |url=https://www.wesh.com/article/desantis-defeats-crist-florida-governor/41854433 |access-date=2022-11-09 |website=[[WESH]] |language=en}}</ref>

== Ambassadorship nomination ==
On June 7, 2023, the [[White House]] announced that [[President of the United States|President]] [[Joe Biden]] had nominated Crist for the position of United States [[Ambassadors of the United States|ambassador]] to the [[International Civil Aviation Organization]], a [[United Nations]] agency.<ref name="BidenWHBio">{{cite web |title=President Biden Announces Key Nominees |url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/06/07/president-biden-announces-key-nominees-49/ |website=The White House |access-date=9 June 2023 |date=7 June 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Former Rep. Crist nominated for ambassador post |url=https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2023/06/08/former-rep-crist-nominated-for-ambassador-post/ |website=News4JAX.com |date=June 8, 2023 |access-date=8 June 2023}}</ref>

== 2026 St. Petersburg mayoral election ==
{{Main|2026 St. Petersburg, Florida, mayoral election}}
In October 2025, the ''[[Tampa Bay Times]]'' revealed Crist is considering entering the election for [[mayor of St. Petersburg, Florida]] in 2026.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wright |first=Colleen |date=October 15, 2025 |title=Charlie Crist is mulling a run for St. Petersburg mayor |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2025/10/15/st-petersburg-mayor-charlie-crist-ken-welch-election-2026/ |newspaper=[[Tampa Bay Times]] |access-date=October 16, 2025}}</ref>

==Political positions==

===Abortion===
In 1995, while in the Florida Senate, Crist joined with two Democrats in the Senate Health Care Committee in voting against a proposal for a mandatory 24-hour waiting period before a woman could have an abortion, resulting in a 3–3 tie vote and the bill's defeat.<ref name=CristHazy/>

In 1998, while running for the U.S. Senate, Crist wrote in a ''[[Tampa Bay Times]]'' questionnaire: "I believe that a woman has the right to choose, but would prefer only after careful consideration and consultation with her family, her physician and her clergy; not her government."<ref name=CristHazy/> In a debate that year, he said he did not support a constitutional amendment banning abortion.<ref name=CristHazy/> In 2006, while running for governor, Crist said he did not support overturning ''[[Roe v. Wade]]'' and opposed a mandatory 24-hour waiting period before a woman could have an abortion.<ref name=CristHazy/>

In 2006, Crist's stance on abortion was characterized as unclear.<ref name=CristHazy>Steve Bousquet, [http://www.sptimes.com/2006/08/18/State/Crist_s_stance_on_abo.shtml Crist's stance on abortion still hazy], ''St Petersburg Times'' (August 18, 2006).</ref>

In early 2010, Crist said he would "fight for [[pro-life]] legislative efforts" and described himself as "pro-life".<ref name="PolitiFact2012">{{cite web|title=Charlie Crist was pro-life, pro-gun and anti-tax, says George LeMieux|url=http://www.politifact.com/florida/statements/2012/sep/06/george-lemieux/charlie-crist-was-pro-life-pro-gun-and-anti-tax-sa/|publisher=PolitiFact|access-date=January 29, 2014}}</ref>

By March 2010, however, as rumors swirled that he would leave the Republican Party and become an independent, Crist reiterated that he did not support overturning ''Roe v. Wade'' and told a Christian Family Coalition group, "We ought to, instead of change laws, change hearts."<ref>Adam C. Smith, [http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/amid-intense-chatter-crist-denies-he-would-run-as-independent/1076685 Amid intense chatter, Crist denies he would run as independent] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100308083651/http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/amid-intense-chatter-crist-denies-he-would-run-as-independent/1076685 |date=March 8, 2010 }}, ''St. Petersburg Times'' (March 2, 2010).</ref>

In June 2010, after leaving the Republican Party and becoming an independent, Crist vetoed a bill that would have required, at patient cost, an [[ultrasound]] in order to receive an abortion.<ref name="WinterUltrasoundBill">Michael Winter, [http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2010/06/florida-gov-charlie-crist-vetoes-ultrasound-abortion-bill/1 Florida Gov. Charlie Crist vetoes ultrasound abortion bill] ''USA Today'' (June 11, 2010).</ref> He called the measure "punitive" and "almost mean-spirited".<ref name="PolitiFact2012"/><ref name="WinterUltrasoundBill"/> The bill also included language barring abortion coverage "under a contract toward which any [[tax credit]] or cost-sharing credit is applied."<ref name="LarrabeeAbortionBill">Brandon Larrabee, [http://jacksonville.com/news/florida/2010-06-01/story/abortion-bill-may-be-political-land-mine-crist Abortion bill may be political land mine for Crist], News Service of Florida (June 1, 2010).</ref>

In June 2022, Crist harshly criticized the [[United States Supreme Court|U.S. Supreme Court]]'s overturning of ''[[Roe v. Wade]]'', calling it "shameful, harmful, and wrong".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lisciandrello |first1=Carl |title=What Florida politicians are saying after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade |url=https://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/politics-issues/2022-06-24/what-florida-politicians-saying-supreme-court-roe-v-wade |website=Florida Politics |date=June 24, 2022 |access-date=8 June 2023}}</ref>

===Cuba===
In May 2014, Crist publicly supported lifting the [[United States embargo against Cuba]], arguing it has not helped to change the Cuban government. He had supported the embargo earlier as both a Republican and independent.<ref>[http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article1960168.html Charlie Crist flip-flops on U.S. embargo against Cuba]</ref> Also in 2014, he announced he had requested the [[Department of State]]'s permission to travel to Cuba with a delegation of business, academic and economic development officials. In June, Crist indefinitely postponed the trip.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Adam C. |title=Charlie Crist on why he wants to visit Cuba: 'This policy has not worked' |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/charlie-crist-explains-why-he-wants-to-visit-cuba-this-policy-has-not/2179105/ |website=Tampa Bay Times |access-date=May 9, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Adams |first1=David |title=Florida gubernatorial candidate Crist considering trip to Cuba |url=https://news.yahoo.com/florida-gubernatorial-candidate-crist-considering-trip-cuba-214012090.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cucG9saXRpY28uY29tLw&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAAR7q53PjmbnqLcutysckIN6ffCOITbhXl33hHvlb1No7cEx3rSau2jxHMYxC0CkahiXp_wJBSPeiVnadpMeEo08z56AUzOR3FcaNDw2GfA8abQtogAB_uqfRsS-egff0dXozn3hpPb04MnLzH8uUjRy01ZV6FmVr230oNGH7YKh |website=Yahoo News |access-date=May 8, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Staff |title=Crist campaign reverses position on Cuban fact-finding trip |url=https://www.wtxl.com/news/crist-campaign-reverses-position-on-cuban-fact-finding-trip/article_133ece38-fb49-11e3-aa10-001a4bcf6878.html |publisher=WXTL |access-date=June 23, 2014}}</ref>

In 2019, Crist quietly visited Cuba to meet with Cuban officials, despite high bilateral tensions due to alleged Cuban support for the [[Nicolás Maduro|Maduro]] regime in [[Venezuela]].<ref name="tampabay.com">{{cite news |last1=Contorno |first1=Steve |title=Charlie Crist quietly visited Cuba as tensions over Venezuela escalated |url=https://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2019/05/15/charlie-crist-quietly-visited-cuba-as-tensions-over-venezuela-escalated/ |website=Tampa Bay Times |access-date=May 15, 2019}}</ref> The three-day trip was not announced by his congressional office and was disclosed due to required filings in the [[United States House of Representatives|House of Representatives]] Committee on Ethics, with no details about it on Crist's House website.<ref name="tampabay.com"/> The trip was sponsored by the Center for Democracy in the Americas, an organization that "promotes a U.S. policy toward Cuba based on engagement and recognition of Cuba's sovereignty", according to its website.<ref name="tampabay.com"/> Photos of Crist smiling during a meeting with Cuban officials, including Cuban foreign minister [[Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla|Bruno Rodríguez]], were published in the official newspaper of Cuba's Communist Party during his stay.<ref name="tampabay.com"/>

===Environmental policy===
In June 2008, Crist proposed that Florida buy {{convert|187000|acre|ha}} from the United States Sugar Corporation for $1.75 billion. The proposed purchase would have removed about 187,000 acres of sugar farming for Everglades restoration efforts. A fairness commission found that price to be too high by $400 million and, ultimately, the purchase was reduced to {{convert|73000|acre|ha}} of not only sugar, but also citrus for about $590 million in 2010, greatly setting back the originally touted restoration effort.<ref>Miami Herald "Crist praises water managers for support of Big Sugar land buy" [http://www.miamiherald.com/business/breaking-news/story/1048326.html]{{dead link|date=August 2013}}</ref><ref>Miami Herald "Crist has competition: U.S. Sugar has offer from another suitor" http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2008/11/crist-has-compe.html</ref><ref>AP "Fla. revises deal with US Sugar to save Everglades" By Jessica Gresko The Associated Press November 11, 2008 http://www.topix.com/content/ap/2008/11/fla-revises-deal-with-us-sugar-to-save-everglades{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref><ref name="auto2"/>

In 2007, Crist signed executive orders to impose stricter [[air pollution]] standards in Florida, with an aim to reduce [[greenhouse gas emissions]].<ref name="enn"/><ref name="auto3"/> In his gubernatorial campaign, he opposed [[offshore oil drilling]]. He altered that position in June 2008, when oil reached peak prices, saying, "I mean, let's face it, the price of gas has gone through the roof, and Florida families are suffering, and my heart bleeds for them."<ref name="auto1"/>

===Fiscal policies===
Crist supported President [[Barack Obama|Obama]]'s [[American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009]], a stimulus package in response to the [[Great Recession]].<ref name="stimulus"/><ref name="auto4"/><ref name="auto5"/> Fellow Republicans were angered by Crist's support for the stimulus.<ref name="auto"/>

Crist called the act a "godsend",<ref>[https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/16/charlie-crist-effusive-ab_n_2146562.html Charlie Crist Effusive About Barack Obama at Tampa Press Banquet], ''Huffington Post'' (November 17, 2012).</ref> maintaining that it had saved the jobs of nearly 20,000 Florida schoolteachers and other school workers in 2009–2010.<ref>Amy Sherman, [http://www.politifact.com/florida/statements/2012/sep/06/george-lemieux/charlie-crist-was-pro-life-pro-gun-and-anti-tax-sa/ Charlie Crist says in debate that stimulus saved 20,000 teacher jobs], PolitiFact Florida (October 10, 2014).</ref>

===Felons' voting rights===
In a February 12, 2018, ''[[USA Today]]'' op-ed, Crist wrote that Florida was "one of only three states that permanently bans non-violent, ex-felons from voting" and that this "[[Disfranchisement|disenfranchisement]] of 1.5 million of our fellow citizens is shameful."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Crist |first1=Charlie |title=Charlie Crist: Ex-felons in Florida need their voting rights back |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2018/02/11/lets-give-ex-felons-their-voting-rights-back-charlie-crist-column/308710002/ |website=USA Today |access-date=September 4, 2018}}</ref>

===Gun policy===
In 2008, Crist signed a provision preventing employers from prohibiting employees from bringing firearms to the workplace, as long as the weapons are secure and the employees have a concealed carry license.<ref>{{cite news|title=Crist signs bring your gun to work bill |newspaper=Palm Beach Post |url=http://www.palmbeachpost.com/politics/content/state/epaper/2008/04/15/0415gunsatwork.html |date=April 15, 2008 |first=Dara |last=Kam |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080829174600/http://www.palmbeachpost.com/politics/content/state/epaper/2008/04/15/0415gunsatwork.html |archive-date=August 29, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Florida lawmakers pass "take your guns to work" law |publisher=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN0948339420080409 |date=April 9, 2008 }}</ref>

After the December 2012 [[Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting]], Crist announced a reversal of some of his previous stances on gun control. Before 2012, he had sometimes accused his opponents of not supporting gun rights strongly enough. He was endorsed by the [[National Rifle Association|NRA]] in 2006. In 2012, Crist announced that he supported reinstating the [[Federal Assault Weapons Ban]], banning [[high-capacity magazine]]s, and instating more extensive [[National Instant Criminal Background Check System|background checks]].<ref name="Leary 2018">{{cite news |title=Former Gov. Charlie Crist shifts on guns, supports new restrictions |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/national/former-gov-charlie-crist-shifts-on-guns-supports-new-restrictions/1266801/ |last=Leary |first=Alex |work=Tampa Bay Times |location=Tampa Bay, Florida |access-date=March 5, 2018}}</ref> In the wake of the [[Stoneman Douglas High School shooting]], he announced his support for additional measures, including a ban on [[bump stock]]s,<ref name="Sidorowicz 2018">{{cite news |url=http://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/as-hundreds-rally-for-gun-control-bill-to-put-guns-in-florida-classrooms-withdrawn/67-520130542 |title=As hundreds rally for gun control, bill to put guns in Florida classrooms withdrawn |last=Sidorowicz  |first=Josh |publisher=WTSP |location=Tampa, Florida |access-date=March 5, 2018}}</ref> and also said he did not support [[arming teachers]].<ref name="Perry 2018">{{cite web |url=https://floridapolitics.com/archives/258088-charlie-crist-hopes-donald-trump-will-push-gun-control-regulations |title=Charlie Crist hopes Donald Trump will push for gun control regulations |date=March 5, 2018 |website=Florida Politics |publisher=Peter Schorsch |last=Perry |first=Mitch |access-date=March 5, 2018}}</ref>

When he left office as governor in 2011, Crist had an A rating from the NRA.<ref name="NRA">{{cite web|url=https://www.nraila.org/articles/20140711/florida-alert-governor-scotts-record-on-second-amendment-issues |title=Florida Alert: Governor Scott's Record on Second Amendment Issues |last=Turner |first=Jim |publisher=National Rifle Association of America, Institute for Legislative Action |date=July 11, 2014 |access-date=March 5, 2018}}</ref> In 2016, he received an F rating from the NRA.<ref name="Nielsen 2016">{{cite news |url=http://sunshinestatenews.com/story/new-mailer-slams-charlie-crist-anti-gun-policies|title=New Mailer Slams Charlie Crist on Anti-Gun Policies |last=Nielsen |first=Allison |date=October 20, 2016 |work=Sunshine State News |location=Florida |access-date=March 5, 2018}}</ref>

===Immigration===
In June 2017, Crist was one of 24 House Democrats to vote for [[Killing of Kate Steinle|Kate's Law]]. The next month, he was one of five Democrats to vote to fund President Trump's border wall, and the next day, issued a statement saying that he opposed the wall.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Iannelli |first1=Jerry |title=Florida Democrat Charlie Crist Votes to Fund a Border Wall He Says He Doesn't Support |url=https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/florida-democrat-charlie-crist-votes-to-fund-trumps-border-wall-with-mexico-9530153 |website=Miami New Times |access-date=September 3, 2018}}</ref>

===LGBT rights===
In 2006, as a proposed [[U.S. state constitutional amendments banning same-sex unions|state constitutional amendment banning same-sex unions]] was headed to the ballot in Florida, Crist said that such an amendment was unnecessary because state law already barred same-sex marriages.<ref name="MoorheadMarriage">Molly Moorhead, [http://www.politifact.com/florida/statements/2013/may/09/charlie-crist/after-voting-ban-crist-now-backs-gay-marriage/ After voting for a ban, Charlie Crist now backs gay marriage], PolitiFact Florida (May 9, 2013).</ref> But in September 2005, he had signed a petition for the amendment during the Republican primary at the [[Christian Coalition of America|Christian Coalition]]'s request.<ref name="MoorheadMarriage"/><ref name="ShermanSSM">Amy Sherman, [http://www.politifact.com/florida/statements/2014/feb/07/charlie-crist/he-changed-his-stance-gay-marriage-charlie-crist-s/ Before he changed his stance on gay marriage, Charlie Crist says he always supported civil unions] (February 7, 2014).</ref> Crist said in campaign materials at the time that he supported "traditional marriage".<ref name="MoorheadMarriage"/> In 2008, he said he voted for the amendment, which passed.<ref name="MoorheadMarriage"/>

In a debate and a radio talk show appearance in 2006, Crist indicated support for [[civil union]]s.<ref name="ShermanSSM"/>

As governor, Crist downplayed the marriage issue, saying in a late 2007 CNN appearance: "It's not an issue that moves me. I'm just a live-and-let-live kind of guy."

For some time Crist supported Florida's ban on [[LGBT adoption|same-sex adoption]], which had been in place since 1977.<ref name="AdoptionSSM">[http://www.politifact.com/florida/statements/2014/feb/20/charlie-crist/after-he-left-gop-charlie-crist-said-he-no-longer-/ On adoption by gay couples], PolitiFact (February 10, 2014).</ref> He publicly expressed support for the ban beginning when he was attorney general in 2006.

In 2008, Crist again announced his support for the [[Federal Marriage Amendment]]. Also that year, he told the ''Orlando Sentinel'' that the issue was not "top-tier" for him,<ref name="MoorheadMarriage"/><ref name="ShermanSSM"/> even as he supported a Florida ballot measure to amend the state constitution prohibiting same-sex marriage that passed later that year.

Also in 2008, in the case of ''[[In re Gill]]'', a [[Miami-Dade County, Florida|Miami-Dade]] judge struck down the ban on same-sex couple adoption.<ref name="AdoptionSSM"/> As the case proceeded through appeals, Crist expressed support for the adoption ban as late as February 2010,<ref name="AdoptionSSM"/> but by June 2010, expressed openness to changing Florida law to allow same-sex adoption, saying a better approach "would be to let judges make that decision on a case-by-case basis".<ref name="AdoptionSSM" /><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/mccollum-touts-tax-freeze-crist-open-to-gay-adoption/1103181 |title=McCollum touts tax freeze; Crist open to gay adoption |last=Smith |first=Adam C. |date=June 18, 2010 |newspaper=St. Petersburg Times |access-date=September 9, 2010 |location=Sarasota, Florida |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101107085356/http://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/mccollum-touts-tax-freeze-crist-open-to-gay-adoption/1103181 |archive-date=November 7, 2010 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>

In September 2010, Crist said that he had had an "appropriate evolution" on gay rights and was considering dropping the state's appeal of to block gay adoption.<ref name="LimAdoption"/> Days later, after an appeals court affirmed gay couples had a right to adopt, Crist hailed the ruling "a very good day for Florida" and "a great day for children" and announced that the state would no longer seek to enforce the ban.<ref name="AdoptionSSM" /> In a Senate debate the next month, he attributed his shift in positions to "the convergence of life experience and wisdom", saying he had become more tolerant and become less judgmental with age.<ref name="AdoptionSSM" />

At about the same time in 2010, he declared his support for civil unions encompassing "the full range of legal protections" including "access to a loved one in the hospital, inheritance rights, the fundamental things people need to take care of their families".<ref name="ShermanSSM"/> The voter-enacted 2008 state constitutional amendment Crist supported may nonetheless have prohibited them.<ref name="ShermanSSM"/>

On May 9, 2013, Crist announced that he supports [[Same-sex marriage in the United States|same-sex marriage]]: "I most certainly support marriage equality in Florida and look forward to the day it happens here."<ref name="WP Gay Marriage">{{cite news |last=Weiner |first=Rachel |date=May 9, 2013 |title=Charlie Crist endorses gay marriage |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/05/09/charlie-crist-endorses-gay-marriage/ |access-date=May 22, 2013 |quote='I most certainly support marriage equality in Florida and look forward to the day it happens here', the Republican-turned-independent-turned-Democrat wrote on his Facebook page. He congratulated Delaware on becoming the 11th state to legalize gay marriage.}}</ref>

In January 2014, Crist apologized for his support for the 2008 same-sex marriage ban and for the same-sex adoption ban, telling an Orlando LGBT publication: "I'm sorry I did that. It was a mistake. I was wrong. Please forgive me."<ref>{{cite news|title=Charlie Crist 'Sorry' He Backed Gay Marriage Ban, Calls It A 'Mistake' |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/02/charlie-crist-gay-marriage_n_4531810.html|work=The Huffington Post|access-date=January 15, 2014|first=Luke|last=Johnson}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Charlie Crist apologizes for backing same-sex marriage ban|url=https://www.msnbc.com/the-last-word/crist-apologizes-lgbt-community|publisher=MSNBC|access-date=January 15, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Charlie Crist Says 'Sorry' for Supporting Florida's Same-Sex Marriage Ban|url=http://www.advocate.com/politics/politicians/2014/01/02/charlie-crist-says-sorry-supporting-floridas-marriage-ban|work=The Advocate|access-date=January 15, 2014}}</ref>

===Marijuana legalization===
Crist said "fully legalizing marijuana" would bring about "true justice in our state and in our country" in announcing his candidacy for governor in 2021.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Stracqualursi |first1=Veronica |title=Democratic Rep. Charlie Crist announces another bid for Florida governor |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/04/politics/charlie-crist-florida-governor-run/index.html |access-date=June 3, 2021 |publisher=CNN |date=May 4, 2021}}</ref> He also voted for the [[Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act]] to legalize cannabis at the federal level and expunge cannabis convictions in 2020.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Daly |first1=Matthew |title=House votes to decriminalize marijuana at federal level |url=https://apnews.com/article/politics-bills-coronavirus-pandemic-marijuana-1a7b63d9cf925c2452ea937d8a636125 |access-date=June 3, 2021 |publisher=Associated Press |date=December 4, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |date=December 4, 2020 |title=Crist Votes To End Federal Marijuana Prohibition |url=https://crist.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2215 |location=Washington, D.C. |website=house.gov |access-date=June 3, 2021 |archive-date=June 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603205505/https://crist.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2215 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2018, he introduced the Fairness in Federal Drug Testing Under State Laws Act to limit the firing of federal workers and denial of applicants for cannabis use.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hansen |first1=Claire |title=Bipartisan Bill Seeks to Protect Federal Employees Who Use State-Legal Marijuana |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2019-03-15/bipartisan-bill-seeks-to-protect-federal-employees-who-use-state-legal-marijuana |access-date=June 3, 2021 |work=U.S. News & World Report |date=March 15, 2019}}</ref>

===Other issues===
As governor, Crist supported [[capital punishment in Florida|capital punishment]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.fadp.org/news/MH-20051103.htm |website=Miami Herald |date=November 2, 2005 |title=Crist: Hands off death penalty law |first=Lesley |last=Clark |access-date=August 20, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081022223613/http://www.fadp.org/news/MH-20051103.htm |archive-date=October 22, 2008  }}</ref> He reiterated his support for it in October 2022.<ref>{{cite web|title=Charlie Crist on Twitter|url=https://twitter.com/charliecrist/status/1580591195125780484}}</ref>

After claims that computerized voting machines undercounted votes in black communities, Crist endorsed legislation requiring paper records of all ballots cast in elections.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zogby |first=John |title=3-Way Race Just Fine for Rubio |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnzogby/2010/10/06/3-way-race-just-fine-for-rubio/ |access-date=2023-11-05 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref>

In April 2010, Crist vetoed an education bill that would have linked teacher pay to test scores, a piece of legislation conservatives strongly supported.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cillizza |first1=Chris |title=Charlie Crist didn't leave the Republican party because of racism. He left it because he couldn't win a primary. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2014/05/08/charlie-crist-didnt-leave-the-republican-party-because-of-racism-he-left-it-because-he-couldnt-win-a-primary/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=September 1, 2018}}</ref>

Crist supported increased regulation of the insurance industry, including property insurance rates (in the aftermath of [[Hurricane Katrina]]) and health insurance. The [[Citizens Insurance#Florida|Citizen's Property Insurance Corp]] and the [http://www.sbafla.com/fhcf/ Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund] had been described as risky and underfunded. Standing next to former football star [[Dan Marino]] (whose son, Michael, is [[autism|autistic]] and inspired the [[Dan Marino#Dan Marino Foundation|Dan Marino Foundation]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.childnett.tv/videos/stories/foundation_inspired_family |title=A Foundation Inspired by a Family |website=Childnett.Tv |access-date=August 17, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110919011619/http://www.childnett.tv/videos/stories/foundation_inspired_family |archive-date=September 19, 2011  }}</ref>), Crist signed a law expanding health coverage statewide for autism disorders and legislation expanding low-income coverage and creating public and private insurance options in Florida.<ref>Insurance Journal "Fla. Gov. Crist Persuades Cabinet to Block Insurers' Exit" http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southeast/2007/02/01/76468.htm</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flgov.com/release/9150 |title=Florida Governor Charlie Crist {{pipe}} Governor Crist Launches "Shop and Compare Insurance Rates" Web Site |website=Flgov.com |access-date=August 17, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100514160300/http://www.flgov.com/release/9150 |archive-date=May 14, 2010 }}</ref><ref>"Governor Crist Launches Shop and Compare Website" http://www.ShopAndCompareRates.com and http://www.flgov.com</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Florida's Unnatural Disaster Charlie Crist, taxpayers and the next hurricane |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB123371173559046209}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |title=Crist: Florida 'better off' without State Farm |url=http://www.gainesville.com/article/20090129/NEWS/901290919/0/LIVING}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |publisher=NPR |title=State Farm Abandons Florida's Homeowners Market |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=99942808}}</ref>

The abortion hurdles bill Crist vetoed in June 2010 also included some provisions "intended to thwart" the [[Affordable Care Act]], the federal [[Health care reform in the United States|health care reform]] legislation championed by President Obama.<ref name="WinterUltrasoundBill"/>

In April 2022, Crist said he opposed the repeal of the [[Reedy Creek Improvement Act]], arguing that it would hurt Florida's economy and tourism.<ref name="usatoday2022">{{cite web|last=Call|first=James|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2022/04/21/florida-disney-ron-desantis-reedy-creek-tallahassee-house-senate-governor-republicans-vote/7399316001/|title=A smaller world for Disney? Florida lawmakers revoke special self-governing status|website=[[USA Today]]|date=April 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421230219/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2022/04/21/florida-disney-ron-desantis-reedy-creek-tallahassee-house-senate-governor-republicans-vote/7399316001/|archive-date=April 21, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Personal life==
In July 1979, Crist married Amanda Morrow. They divorced within a year.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sptimes.com/2006/08/27/State/Charlie_Crist__A_fuzz.shtml |title=Charlie Crist: A fuzzy line divides personal and political lives |newspaper=[[St. Petersburg Times]] |date=August 27, 2006 |last=Bousquet |first=Steve |access-date=October 12, 2008}}</ref>

[[File:MMCrist.JPG|thumb|right|170px|Crist and his former wife [[Carole Rome]]]]

Crist became engaged to [[Carole Rome]] on July 3, 2008, after nine months of dating, and they married on December 12 of that year at the [[First Methodist Church of St. Petersburg]], of which Crist is a member.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://blogs.tampabay.com/buzz/2008/12/arrivals-to-cri.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216070921/http://blogs.tampabay.com/buzz/2008/12/arrivals-to-cri.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 16, 2008 |title=Crist–Rome Wedding Photos |newspaper=[[St. Petersburg Times]] |date=December 12, 2008 |access-date=December 13, 2008}}</ref> In February 2017, Crist announced that he had filed for divorce,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Smith|first1=Adam C|title=Charlie Crist files for divorce from wife Carole|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article134704329.html|newspaper=Miami Herald|access-date=February 24, 2017|date=February 24, 2017}}</ref> and the divorce was completed that year.<ref name="March">{{cite news |last1=March |first1=William |title=Charlie Crist has a new fiance as he seeks a new office |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2022/06/14/charlie-crist-has-a-new-fiance-as-he-seeks-a-new-office/ |access-date=28 August 2022 |work=[[Tampa Bay Times]] |date=Jun 14, 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

In 2022, while running for governor again, Crist said that he was engaged to a medical sonographer whom he had met in 2017 and who is the mother of six children.<ref name="March"/>

==Electoral history==
{{Election box begin no change
| title      = 1998 Republican primary for Florida U.S. Senate<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://doe.dos.state.fl.us/elections/resultsarchive/Index.asp?ElectionDate=9%2F1%2F1998&DATAMODE= |title=Florida Department of State - Election Results |access-date=2019-02-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718142506/https://doe.dos.state.fl.us/elections/resultsarchive/Index.asp?ElectionDate=9%2F1%2F1998&DATAMODE= |archive-date=2011-07-18 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate  = Charlie Crist
| party      = Republican Party (United States)
| votes      = 365,894
| percentage = 66.40%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate  = [[Andy Martin]]
| party      = Republican Party (United States)
| votes      = 184,739
| percentage = 33.60%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes      = 550,633
| percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin
 | title      = 1998 United States Senate election in Florida<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/1998/98Stat.htm|title=Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives}}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
 | party      = Democratic Party (United States)
 | candidate  = [[Bob Graham]] (incumbent)
 | votes      = 2,436,407
 | percentage = 62.47%
 | change     = -2.93%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
 | party      = Republican Party (United States)
 | candidate  = Charlie Crist
 | votes      = 1,463,755
 | percentage = 37.53%
 | change     = +2.94%
}}
{{Election box majority
 | votes      = 972,652
 | percentage = 24.94%
 | change     = -5.87%
}}
{{Election box turnout
 | votes      = 3,900,162
 | percentage = 46.84%
 | change     =
}}
{{Election box total
 | votes      = 3,900,162
 | percentage = 100.00%
 | change     =
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
 | winner     = Democratic Party (United States)
 | loser      =
 | swing      =
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change
 | title      = 2000 Florida Education Commissioner election<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://results.elections.myflorida.com/Index.asp?ElectionDate=11/7/2000&DATAMODE=|title=Florida Department of State - Election Results|website=results.elections.myflorida.com}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate  = Charlie Crist
| party      = Republican Party (United States)
| votes      = 2,979,297
| percentage = 53.72%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate  = George H. Sheldon
| party      = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes      = 2,464,557
| percentage = 44.44%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate  = Vassilla Gazetas
| party      = Independent (United States)
| votes      = 102,358
| percentage = 1.84%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes      = 5,546,212
| percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change
| title = 2002 Republican primary results for Florida Attorney General
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Charlie Crist
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 484,466
| percentage = 50.11
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Tom Warner
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 257,049
| percentage = 26.59
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Locke Burt
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 225,360
| percentage = 23.31
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 966,875
| percentage= 100.00
}}
{{End}}

{{Election box begin | title=2002 Florida Attorney General election<ref>{{cite web |url=https://doe.dos.state.fl.us/elections/resultsarchive/Index.asp?ElectionDate=11/5/2002&DATAMODE= |title= Florida Department of State - Election Results|website=doe.dos.state.fl.us |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130720032959/https://doe.dos.state.fl.us/elections/resultsarchive/Index.asp?ElectionDate=11%2F5%2F2002&DATAMODE= |archive-date=July 20, 2013}}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
  |party      = Republican Party (US)
  |candidate  = Charlie Crist
  |votes      = 2,636,616
  |percentage = 53.42%
  |change     = +12.98%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
  |party      = Democratic Party (US)
  |candidate  = [[Buddy Dyer]]
  |votes      = 2,299,149
  |percentage = 46.58%
  |change     = −12.98%
}}
{{Election box majority
  |votes      = 337,467
  |percentage = 6.84%
  |change     = −12.29%
}}
{{Election box turnout
  |votes      = 4,935,765
  |percentage =
  |change     =
}}
{{Election box gain with party link
  |winner     = Republican Party (US)
  |loser      = Democratic Party (US)
  |swing      =
}}
{{End}}

{{Election box begin no change
| title = 2006 Republican primary results for Florida Governor<ref>{{cite web|url=https://results.elections.myflorida.com/DetailRpt.Asp?ELECTIONDATE=9/5/2006&RACE=GOV&PARTY=REP&DIST=&GRP=&DATAMODE=|title=September 5, 2006 Primary Election, Republican Primary, Governor|publisher=Florida Department of State Division of Elections |access-date=June 30, 2016}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Charlie Crist
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 630,816
| percentage = 63.98%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Tom Gallagher
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 330,165
| percentage = 33.49%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Vernon Palmer
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 13,547
| percentage = 1.37%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Michael W. St. Jean
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 11,458
| percentage = 1.16%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 985,986
| percentage= 100.00%
}}
{{End}}

{{Election box begin | title=2006 Florida gubernatorial election<ref>{{cite web|url=https://results.elections.myflorida.com/DetailRpt.Asp?ELECTIONDATE=11/7/2006&RACE=GOV&PARTY=&DIST=&GRP=&DATAMODE=|title=November 7, 2006 General Election, Governor and Lieutenant Governor|publisher=Florida Department of State Division of Elections |access-date=June 30, 2016}}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Charlie Crist/[[Jeff Kottkamp]]
  |votes      = 2,519,845
  |percentage = 52.20%
  |change     = −3.81%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = [[Jim Davis (Florida politician)|Jim Davis]]/[[Daryl Jones (politician)|Daryl Jones]]
  |votes      = 2,178,289
  |percentage = 45.10%
  |change     = +1.94%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
  |party      = Reform Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Max Linn
  |votes      = 92,595
  |percentage = 1.90%
  |change     = +1.90%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
  |party      = Independent (politician)
  |candidate  = John Wayne Smith
  |votes      = 15,987
  |percentage = 0.30%
  |change     =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
  |party      = Independent (politician)
  |candidate  = Richard Paul Dembinsky
  |votes      = 11,921
  |percentage = 0.20%
  |change     =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
  |party      = Independent (politician)
  |candidate  = Karl C.C. Behm
  |votes      = 10,487
  |percentage = 0.20%
  |change     =
}}
{{Election box candidate
  |party      = Write-ins
  |candidate  =
  |votes      = 147
  |percentage = 0.00%
  |change     = 0
}}
{{Election box majority
  |votes      = 341,556
  |percentage = 7.10%
  |change     = -5.75%
}}
{{Election box turnout
  |votes      = 4,829,271
  |percentage =
  |change     =
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
  |winner     = Republican Party (United States)
  |swing      =
}}
{{End}}

{{Election box begin
 | title      = 2010 United States Senate election in Florida<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://election.dos.state.fl.us/elections/resultsarchive/Index.asp?ElectionDate=11%2F2%2F2010 |title=Florida Department of State - Election Results<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=December 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120521132257/http://election.dos.state.fl.us/elections/resultsarchive/Index.asp?ElectionDate=11%2F2%2F2010 |archive-date=May 21, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
 | party      = Republican Party (United States)
 | candidate  = Marco Antonio Rubio
 | votes      = 2,645,743
 | percentage = 48.89%
 | change     = −0.54%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
 | party      = Independent (United States)
 | candidate  = Charlie Crist
 | votes      = 1,607,549
 | percentage = 29.71%
 | change     = +29.71%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
 | party      = Democratic Party (United States)
 | candidate  = Kendrick Brett Meek
 | votes      = 1,092,936
 | percentage = 20.20%
 | change     = −28.12%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
 | party      = Libertarian Party (United States)
 | candidate  = Alexander Snitker
 | votes      = 24,850
 | percentage = 0.46%
 | change     = N/A
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
 | party      = Independent (United States)
 | candidate  = Sue Askeland
 | votes      = 15,340
 | percentage = 0.28%
 | change     = N/A
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
 | party      = Independent (United States)
 | candidate  = [[Rick Tyler]]
 | votes      = 7,394
 | percentage = 0.14%
 | change     = N/A
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
 | party      = Constitution Party (United States)
 | candidate  = Bernie DeCastro
 | votes      = 4,792
 | percentage = 0.09%
 | change     = N/A
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
 | party      = Independent (United States)
 | candidate  = Lewis Jerome Armstrong
 | votes      = 4,443
 | percentage = 0.08%
 | change     = N/A
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
 | party      = Independent (United States)
 | candidate  = Bobbie Bean
 | votes      = 4,301
 | percentage = 0.08%
 | change     = N/A
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
 | party      = Independent (United States)
 | candidate  = Bruce Riggs
 | votes      = 3,647
 | percentage = 0.07%
 | change     = N/A
}}
{{Election box candidate no change
 | party      = Write-ins
 | candidate  =
 | votes      = 108
 | percentage = 0.00%
 | change     = −0.00%
}}
{{Election box majority
 | votes      = 1,038,194
 | percentage = 19.19%
 | change     = +18.08%
}}
{{Election box turnout
 | votes      = 5,411,106
 | percentage = 48.25%<ref>{{Cite web |title=Voter Registration - Yearly |publisher=Florida Department of State |date=October 31, 2016 |url=http://dos.myflorida.com/elections/data-statistics/voter-registration-statistics/voter-registration-monthly-reports/voter-registration-yearly/ |access-date=December 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161205134458/http://dos.myflorida.com/elections/data-statistics/voter-registration-statistics/voter-registration-monthly-reports/voter-registration-yearly/ |archive-date=December 5, 2016 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
 | change     = −22.67%
}}
{{Election box total
 | votes      = 5,411,106
 | percentage = 100.00%
 | change     =
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
 | winner     = Republican Party (United States)
 | loser      =
 | swing      =
}}
{{End}}

{{Election box begin no change
| title = 2014 Democratic primary results for Florida Governor<ref name=PrimaryResults>{{cite web|title=Governor|url=http://enight.elections.myflorida.com/StateOffices/Governor/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140827051755/http://enight.elections.myflorida.com/StateOffices/Governor/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 27, 2014|website=Florida Election Watch|publisher=Florida Division of Elections|access-date=September 3, 2014}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Charlie Crist
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 623,001
| percentage = 74.36%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Nan Rich
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 214,795
| percentage = 25.64%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 837,796
| percentage= 100%
}}
{{End}}

{{Election box begin |title= 2014 Florida gubernatorial election<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://results.elections.myflorida.com/Index.asp?ElectionDate=11/4/2014&DATAMODE=|title = Florida Department of State - Election Results}}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
   |party      = Republican Party (United States)
   |candidate  = {{nowrap|Rick Scott/Carlos López-Cantera (incumbent)}}
   |votes      = 2,865,343
   |percentage = 48.14%
   |change = −0.73%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Democratic Party (United States)|candidate=Charlie Crist/Annette Taddeo|votes=2,801,198|percentage=47.07%|change=−0.65%}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Libertarian Party (United States)|candidate=Adrian Wyllie/Greg Roe|votes=223,356|percentage=3.75%|change=N/A}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Independent (United States)|candidate=Glenn Burkett/Jose Augusto Matos|votes=41,341|percentage=0.70%|change=N/A}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Independent (United States)|candidate=Farid Khavari/Lateresa A. Jones|votes=20,186|percentage=0.34%|change=+0.20%}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=n/a|candidate=Write-ins|votes=137|percentage=0.00%|change=0.00%}}
{{Election box total
  |votes      = 5,951,571
  |percentage =100.0%
  |change     = N/A
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no swing
  |winner     = Republican Party (United States)
}}
{{End}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=Florida's 13th congressional district, 2016 <ref name="Generalelection">{{cite news|url=http://enight.elections.myflorida.com/FederalOffices/Representative/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120816183116/http://enight.elections.myflorida.com/FederalOffices/Representative/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 16, 2012 |title=2016 General Election November 8, 2016 Official Results |date=November 8, 2016 |access-date=December 14, 2016 |publisher=Florida Division of Elections }}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Charlie Crist
  |votes      = 184,693
  |percentage = 51.9
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = [[David Jolly]] (incumbent)
  |votes      = 171,149
  |percentage = 48.1
}}
{{Election box total no change
  |votes      = 355,842
  |percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box gain with party link no change
  |winner     = Democratic Party (United States)
  |loser      = Republican Party (United States)
}}
{{End}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=Florida's 13th congressional district, 2018}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Charlie Crist (incumbent)
  |votes      = 182,717
  |percentage = 57.6
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = George Buck
  |votes      = 134,254
  |percentage = 42.4
  }}
{{Election box total no change
  | votes = 316,971
  | percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
| winner = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{End}}
{{Election box begin no change|title=Florida's 13th congressional district, 2020}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|party=Democratic Party (United States)|candidate=Charlie Crist (incumbent)|votes=215,405|percentage=53.03%}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=[[Anna Paulina Luna]]|votes=190,713|percentage=46.95%}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Independent Republican (United States)|candidate=Jacob Curnow (write-in)|votes=7|percentage=0.01%}}{{Election box total no change|votes=406,125|percentage=100.0}}
{{Election box hold with party link no swing|winner=Democratic Party (United States)}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=2022 Democratic primary results for Florida Governor}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|party=Democratic Party (US)|candidate=Charlie Crist|votes=903,531|percentage=59.7}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Democratic Party (US)|candidate=[[Nikki Fried|Nicole "Nikki" Fried]]|votes=534,800|percentage=35.3}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Democratic Party (US)|candidate=Cadance Daniel|votes=38,133|percentage=2.5}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Democratic Party (US)|candidate=Robert L. Willis|votes=36,716|percentage=2.4}}
{{Election box total no change|votes=1,513,180|percentage=100.00}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin
| title = 2022 Florida gubernatorial election
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|candidate=[[Ron DeSantis]] (incumbent)|party=Republican Party (United States)|votes=4,613,783|percentage=59.4|change=}}{{Election box candidate with party link|candidate=Charlie Crist|party=Democratic Party (United States)|votes=3,105,469|percentage=40|change=}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|candidate=Hector Roos|party=Libertarian Party (United States)|votes=19,286|percentage=0.2|change=N/A}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|candidate=Carmen Jackie Gimenez|party=Independent (United States)|votes=31,571|percentage=0.4|change=N/A}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|candidate=Jodi Gregory Jeloudov|party=Independent (United States)|votes=|percentage=|change=N/A}}
{{Election box write-in with party link
| votes =
| percentage =
| change = N/A
}}
{{Election box total
| votes =
| percentage = 100.00%
| change = N/A
}}
{{Election box end}}

==Books==
* ''The Party's Over: How the Extreme Right Hijacked the GOP and I Became a Democrat'' (2014) {{ISBN|978-0525954415}}

==See also==
* [[List of Arab and Middle-Eastern Americans in the United States Congress]]
* [[List of American politicians who switched parties in office]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{wikisource|works=or}}
* [https://charliecrist.com/ Charlie Crist for Governor] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311043132/https://charliecrist.com/ |date=March 11, 2023 }} campaign website
{{CongLinks | congbio=C001111 | votesmart=24311 | fec=S6FL00160 | congress=charlie-crist/C001111 }}
* {{C-SPAN|7960}}

{{Navboxes top
|title=Offices and distinctions
}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-par|us-fl-sen}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Mary R. Grizzle]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of the [[Florida Senate]]<br />from the 20th district|years=1992–1998}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Jim Sebesta]]}}
|-
{{s-ppo}}
{{s-bef|before=[[James W. Grant|Bill Grant]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] nominee for [[United States Senator|U.S. senator]] from [[Florida]]<br />([[Classes of United States senators|Class 3]])|years=[[1998 United States Senate election in Florida|1998]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Mel Martinez]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Tom Gallagher]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] nominee for [[Florida Department of Education|Education Commissioner of Florida]]|years=2000}}
{{s-aft|after=None}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=David Bludworth}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] nominee for [[Florida Attorney General]]|years=[[2002 Florida Attorney General election|2002]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Bill McCollum]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Jeb Bush]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] nominee for [[List of governors of Florida|Governor of Florida]]|years=[[2006 Florida gubernatorial election|2006]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Rick Scott]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Alex Sink]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] nominee for [[List of governors of Florida|Governor of Florida]]|years=[[2014 Florida gubernatorial election|2014]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Andrew Gillum]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=Andrew Gillum}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] nominee for [[List of Governors of Florida|Governor of Florida]]|years=[[2022 Florida gubernatorial election|2022]]}}
{{s-inc|recent}}
|-
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Tom Gallagher]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Florida Department of Education|Education Commissioner of Florida]]|years=2001–2003}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Jim Horne (Florida politician)|Jim Horne]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Jeb Bush]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of governors of Florida|Governor of Florida]]|years=2007–2011}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Rick Scott]]}}
|-
{{s-legal}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Richard E. Doran|Richard Doran]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Florida Attorney General]]|years=2003–2007}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Bill McCollum]]}}
|-
{{s-par|us-hs}}
{{s-bef|before=[[David Jolly]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of the [[List of United States representatives from Florida|U.S. House of Representatives]]<br />from [[Florida's 13th congressional district]]|years=2017–2022}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Anna Paulina Luna]]}}
|-
{{s-prec|usa}}
{{s-bef|rows=2|before=[[Jeb Bush]]|as=Former Governor}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[United States order of precedence|Order of precedence of the United States]]|years=Within Florida}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Jack Markell]]|as=Former Governor}}
|-
{{s-ttl|title=[[United States order of precedence|Order of precedence of the United States]]|years=Outside Florida}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Robert D. Fulton]]|as=Former Governor}}
{{s-end}}

{{navboxes bottom}}
{{U.S. Florida Representatives}}
{{Governors of Florida}}
{{Florida Attorneys General}}
{{RepNomFlGov}}
{{DemNomFlGov}}
{{third-party governors}}
{{USCongRep-start|congresses= 115th–117th [[United States Congress]]es |state=[[Florida]]}}
{{USCongRep/FL/115}}
{{USCongRep/FL/116}}
{{USCongRep/FL/117}}
{{USCongRep-end}}
{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Crist, Charlie}}
[[Category:1956 births]]
[[Category:20th-century Methodists]]
[[Category:21st-century Methodists]]
[[Category:American football quarterbacks]]
[[Category:American people of Greek Cypriot descent]]
[[Category:American people of Scotch-Irish descent]]
[[Category:American people of Swiss descent]]
[[Category:American people of Welsh descent]]
[[Category:American politicians of Lebanese descent]]
[[Category:American politicians who switched parties]]
[[Category:American United Methodists]]
[[Category:Candidates in the 1998 United States elections]]
[[Category:Candidates in the 2010 United States elections]]
[[Category:Candidates in the 2014 United States elections]]
[[Category:Candidates in the 2022 United States elections]]
[[Category:Cumberland School of Law alumni]]
[[Category:Educators from Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Florida attorneys general]]
[[Category:Florida commissioners of education]]
[[Category:Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Florida]]
[[Category:Florida Democrats]]
[[Category:Florida Republicans]]
[[Category:Florida independents]]
[[Category:Florida state senators]]
[[Category:Florida State University alumni]]
[[Category:Governors of Florida]]
[[Category:Independent state governors of the United States]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Methodists from Florida]]
[[Category:Politicians from Altoona, Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Politicians from St. Petersburg, Florida]]
[[Category:Republican Party governors of Florida]]
[[Category:St. Petersburg High School alumni]]
[[Category:Wake Forest Demon Deacons football players]]
[[Category:21st-century United States representatives]]
[[Category:20th-century members of the Florida Legislature]]