DeSantis Campaign Attacks Crist on Being Open to Statewide Mask Mandate if Governor

WILTON MANORS (FLV) – The DeSantis campaign attacked Democrat candidate for governor Charlie Crist on comments he made this year about being “open” to a statewide mask mandate if elected as governor.

Former U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist faces Gov. Ron DeSantis in the Nov. 8 election.

Fox News digital reported that Crist made the mask mandate statements at a campaign event in April. Crist was asked by an attendee at the event if he would be open to mandating or regulating masks, according to a video. 

“I would be open to doing what scientists advise — not political scientists,” Crist said. “Yes. I just read an article this morning. I’m glad you brought it up. So I’m going to the airport right after this. I’m going to Orlando, and I’m going to wear a mask on the plane. You don’t have to anymore, but I’m going to because Florida is experiencing an uptick that began this week. And it’s not even the Omicron B2. It’s a new variant.”

Gov. Ron DeSantis has fiercely stood against mask mandates and lockdowns even though he faced criticism for the decisions. In 2021 made comments that it is “totally unacceptable” for the government to impose those mandates on parents and kids. In 2022, the administration filed a lawsuit against the Biden Administration for its continuation of the nationwide transportation mask mandate.

“Florida has led the nation in standing up to misguided federal government policies and fighting back against heavy-handed mandates that have no scientific backing,” DeSantis said in March. 

“If politicians and celebrities can attend the Super Bowl unmasked, every U.S. citizen should have the right to fly unmasked. It is well past time to get rid of this unnecessary mandate and get back to normal life.”