Florida battle gets heated as Crist taps union head for running mate

• Rep. Charlie Crist is currently running an underdog gubernatorial campaign against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
• The Democrat has tapped Miami-Dade teachers union head Karla Hernandez-Mats.
• Shots were fired over the weekend, with Hernandez-Mats calling her rivals dictators and DeSantis allies calling her “Karla Marx.”

The heat has been ramping up in Florida’s battle for the gubernatorial seat, with Charlie Crist’s new running mate trading blows with Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Crist announced his running mate for lieutenant governor on Saturday. He tapped Miami-Dade teachers union head Karla Hernandez-Mats, who is also vice president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).

The choice may be a controversial one, but highlights Crist’s intent to change the state’s education policy, which has been a subject of debate in recent years.

DeSantis’s education initiatives have received both criticism and praise. His administration barred the discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through the third grade. He also banned the instruction of critical-race theory to Florida students. DeSantis argued that education should be emphasized in public schools instead of indoctrination.

Hernandez-Mats has been one of the vocal critics of the governor’s education views. She swore to help Crist defeat his campaign.

Speaking at a press conference that announced her campaign, Hernandez-Mats asked her constituents, “Are you tired of the culture wars and the extremists that are dictating what we can and cannot say and do?”

The former middle-school teacher controversially showed her opposition to DeSantis’s push to reopen schools by driving a hearse to a board meeting, warning the potential consequences of opening early amid COVID-19 concerns.

Critics targeted her over the weekend by putting up a mobile electric billboard labeling her a progressive extremist with a fondness for Fidel Castro. The billboard in Hialeah showed her picture with a hammer and sickle, along with a 2019 tweet she posted after Castro’s passing. Her Twitter post had read, “A political figure dies at 80. Most in Miami rejoice, many in Cuba mourn.”

Hernandez-Mats was also called “Karla Marx” by Christina Pushaw, who handles DeSantis’s “rapid response” team on the media. Pushaw also referred to Hernandez-Mats’ connection to Miami teacher Wendell Nibbs, an influential union figure who pled guilty to sexual activity with a child in 2020.

Hernandez-Mats pointed out that Republicans should turn their gaze toward Rep. Matt Gaetz, who is under federal investigation for alleged sex-trafficking.

DeSantis warned his supporters to “Buckle up” for the campaign over the weekend. Speaking at a rally, he said, “Put on the full armor of God. Take a stand against the Left’s schemes, and we will win.”

Source: New York Post