In a continued wave of support and momentum in the race for governor, the American Federation of Teachers has donated $500,000 to Charlie Crist’s campaign to be the next governor of Florida and to defeat Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The American Federation of Teachers’s generous support comes as national groups are investing in Crist’s bid for governor following recent polling showing that Florida is in play to flip blue this November.
Crist has earned the endorsement of the Florida Education Association, the Democratic Public Education Caucus of Florida, the United Teachers of Dade, and teachers groups across the state. Crist is the only Democratic gubernatorial candidate to earn the support of education organizations this cycle.
“I am incredibly grateful to receive the support from teachers and educators both in Florida and nationally,” said Charlie Crist. “It is deeply meaningful that our campaign’s single largest donation comes from the teachers who are working so hard to give our kids a bright future.”
Last month, Crist unveiled his “Freedom to Learn” policy plan aimed directly at strengthening Florida’s public education system so students can have the best opportunity to learn and succeed.
“Under Ron DeSantis, Florida’s schools, teachers, staff, parents, and children are suffering,” Crist added. “With the first day of school less than two weeks away, 9,000 positions remain unfilled. Instead of addressing this crisis, including by paying our teachers better, this Governor is waging culture wars on our schools. When I am Governor, we’ll take the politics out of our classrooms, and make sure our kids have the freedom to learn.”
Crist also recently endorsed a string of Florida School Board candidates dedicated to keeping politics out of the classroom, protecting our students’ freedom to learn, and truly defending parental rights.
