In Florida governor’s race, Crist accepts 3 debates, including 1 DeSantis declined

U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, the Democratic nominee for Florida governor, has committed to three televised debates in October, including the only one to be broadcast statewide, the Oct. 20 “Before You Vote” event that Gov. Ron DeSantis has turned down.

“I look forward to debating Ron DeSantis and holding him accountable for his extremist, anti-choice, billionaire donor agenda,” Crist said in a news release Monday. “If Ron DeSantis wants to take away more of our freedoms and rights, the least he can do is show up and tell Florida voters why.”

So far, the only one they’ve both agreed to is the Oct. 12 debate hosted by WPEC CBS 12, which is owned and operated by the conservative Sinclair Broadcast Group known for its support of Donald Trump and requiring anchors to warn about “fake news.”