Charlie Crist pulled up to the Alachua County Office of the State Attorney building late afternoon Sunday in a black Mercedes-Benz before being greeted by a crowd of supporters eagerly waiting outside in the muggy air.
In a small room decorated with campaign signs and stickers, Crist spoke of his plans for Florida.
“We are the opposite of Rick Scott,” he said to the crowd of about 50 people inside. “I even have hair.”
Wearing a white dress shirt and a mint-green tie with blue and white stripes, Crist told the group he supports equality for women.
“I support a woman’s right to choose,” he said.
He spoke of affordable healthcare, expanding Medicaid, preserving Florida’s springs, increasing minimum wage and enhancing the education system.
Crist encouraged the crowd to vote and motivate their friends and family to be active voters as well.
“I want you to be represented,” he said. “I want your voice to be heard.”
He said to utilize social media, knock on doors and pick up the phone and make calls, encouraging others to vote as well.
“It’s on you,” he said. “It’s on all of us. It is our campaign. It’s not my campaign. It’s our campaign. It’s the people’s campaign. If you vote, we win, and we’ll have our Florida back.”
Standing behind the building’s parking lot packed with cars, a small group of protesters stood with signs that read, “CHARLIE SWINDLED STUDENTS” and “Charlie RAISED my tuition!”
Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fla., joined protesters in his navy blue suit jacket, sweat sticking to his forehead.
“I am proud to stand with Gov. Scott,” he said. “I’m here today to stand up for Florida’s students.”
Natalia Perez Santos, 19, worked long nights campaigning for Crist with UF College Democrats. She represents the Hispanic sector within her organization and said she hopes to get students as politically involved as possible.
“Just him coming here makes you feel encouraged,” said the UF political science and history sophomore. “It means a lot to me for him to come out.”
After Crist’s speech, clouds rolled in. A light rain fell from the sky, cooling the air.
Crist walked out back, shaking hands and taking pictures with almost everyone he saw.
As he got in his car, a quiet cry from the group of Crist protesters floated in the background as he drove away in a silver SUV.
[A version of this story ran on page 1 on 9/29/2014]
Stefani Dopico, a 19-year-old UF telecommunication sophomore, takes a selfie with Charlie Crist at the Alachua County Office of the State Attorney Sunday afternoon.
