Candidates Charlie Crist and Val Demings move forward (includes video story)

Democrat Charlie Crist has become the gubernatorial nominee for Florida and will be running against Gov. Ron DeSantis in November.

Crist gave his winning speech at St. Petersburg yesterday after defeating Nikki Fried. He had 59.7% of the votes, compared to Fried, who garnered 35.3%.

“Today, the people of Florida clearly sent a message,” Crist said. “They want a governor that cares about them, to solve world problems, to preserve our freedom, Not a bully who divides us and takes our freedom away.”

These elections also decided which Democrat would face Sen. Marco Rubio for a seat in the U.S. Senate. Val Demings, former police chief with a gifted history of political fundraising, won 84.3% of the vote. If she wins, she will be Florida’s first Black female senator.

The general elections will be November 8.

Kenya Cardonne

Kenya Cardonne is a senior at Florida International University majoring in Digital Communications + Multimedia Production with a Minor in Art. She enjoys producing all forms of art including film and photography while aspiring to grow in the T.V. industry.

Samantha Gutierrez

Samantha Gutierrez is a student journalist majoring in Digital Communication and Media. As a bilingual reporter, she enjoys covering stories about her diverse Miami community. With a strong passion for broadcasting, she aspires to pursue a career as a multimedia journalist in South Florida.