Nikki Fried Attacks Charlie Crist for Supporting Oil Drilling as Both Trail DeSantis

March 11th, 2022 Updated 10:48 A.M. ET

TALLAHASSEE (FCV) – As the Democrat primary for Florida governor ramps up, candidate Nikki Fried (D) went after candidate Charlie Crist (D) for endorsing John McCain’s plan for Florida oil drilling in in the 2008 Election.

Fried attacked the former Florida governor and current U.S. Representative for supporting a plan from presidential candidate John McCain that would lift the federal ban on offshore drilling in Florida.

At the time, Crist was a Republican and was considered as a potential McCain running mate.

Crist flip-flopped on the proposal in 2008, going from saying “I don’t like it [McCain’s proposal],” to saying, “I kind of agree with him.”

Fried’s attack against Crist is a rare occurrence – up to this point in the election cycle, much of the ire from Crist and Fried have been towards Governor Ron DeSantis (R).

The primary for the Democrats in Florida will be held on August 23, 2022 – just 5 months away. Florida is a closed primary state, so only Democrats can vote in the primary.

Crist is outpacing Fried in both polls against DeSantis in a hypothetical matchup and fundraising.

According to the Florida Division of Elections, Fried raised a total of ~$330,000. In contrast, Crist raised ~$763,000, more than twice as much.

DeSantis raised around $8,000,000 in February, around 8 times as much of Crist and Fried combined.

Both Democrats trail DeSantis in polling, but Crist fairs slightly better off in a matchup.

According to a new poll from the University of North Florida among 685 registered voters in February, DeSantis leads Crist by 21 points and Fried by 23 points. The poll deviates far from the RealClearPolitics average, but may indicate a trend towards stronger statewide support for DeSantis.

The RealClearPolitics average for Crist has him trailing DeSantis by 8.8 points, while Fried is trailing by 12.8 points.

The election will be held on November 8, 2022.