Charlie Crist Concedes Florida Gubernatorial Race to Ron DeSantis

Democratic gubernatorial candidate for Florida Charlie Crist conceded to incumbent Republican governor Ron DeSantis on Tuesday night, November 8.

Crist, a former Democratic Congressman and Republican Florida governor, congratulated DeSantis on his re-election and thanked supporters.

“Governor DeSantis, to you and your family, I wish you only the best,” he said. “And I wish the best to my fellow Floridians, ’cause I love this state. I love her with all my heart.” Credit: Charlie Crist via Storyful

Video transcript

CHARLIE CRIST: Good evening. I love you. Thank you. I think so.

[CROWD CHEERS]

Ah, good evening. Good evening. Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you, Chris. Thank you. Thank you. First and foremost, I want to give a good congratulations to Governor DeSantis on his re-election. That's OK. That's OK. But I want to thank all of you. I really do. And I want to thank Florida. Florida had been great to me my entire life. And I can't thank all of my fellow Floridians for so much for so long. And it's been an absolute blessing to serve governor before, to serve as the congressman from my hometown.

I feel like the most blessed man ever. And Governor DeSantis, to you and your family, I wish you only the best. And I wish the best to my fellow Floridians because I love this state. I love her with all my heart. And you're great good, decent, kind people, and you deserve nothing better than the very best that God has to offer. And I want to thank God. God's real and God exists. And all glory to God. We have so much to be thankful for.

[APPLAUSE]

Please. Really. Let's do that. Elizabeth, Kathy, I love you so much. It's great to see you, my wonderful sisters. My beautiful fiancee, now we can get married, Chelsea, and her beautiful children. And I'm a happy man. And I am at peace. And I'm grateful to all of you. And I just wish you all the very best. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and a very Merry Christmas.

- We love you, Charlie.

CHARLIE CRIST: God bless Florida. Love you. Lp