ST. PETERSBURG -- A second Democrat has entered the race to succeed U.S. Representative Charlie Crist, in a seat where Republicans have been making inroads.
State Representative Ben Diamond passed on a chance to become House Minority Leader in Tallahassee to run for the seat. He told the audience at his campaign kickoff at the USF campus that the race will be "one of the most competitive and expensive." Diamond said it was "critical" to elect a Democrat to succeed Crist because President Biden needs the House's support to pass his programs. "We have to nominate a Democrat who can keep this district blue... (and) appeal to mainstream voters from Clearwater to Pass-a-Grille.
Diamond spoke about being "bipartisan" and working across the aisle while attacking Republicans in Tallahasee for passing voting and transgender athletic bills among others.
Diamond joins Republican Ana Paulina Luna and fellow Democrat Eric Lynn in the race to succeed Crist.
Republicans cut the Democratic edge in Crist's district by half a percentage point last year with an ongoing voter registration drive. Boundaries may change in next year's reapportionment by the Florida Legislature.
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