Sunday, November 10, 2024

Charlie Crist Names Latina as Running Mate in Florida Gubernatorial Race

cristOn Thursday, former Florida Governor Charlie Crist announced that he has picked Annette Taddeo-Goldstein, a seasoned Latino political operative and businesswoman, as his running mate for the upcoming gubernatorial election.

In addition to founding and running her own small business, LanguageSpeak, Colombian born Taddeo-Goldstein serves as the chairwoman of the Miami-Dade Democratic Party and vice-chair of the Florida Democratic Party. According to Crist, Taddeo-Goldstein exemplifies the “classic American success story.” Crist also emphasized that she would “make an excellent lieutenant governor because as a working mom she knows Florida families are struggling to pay their bills, raise their kids and save for retirement, and because she believes, as I do, that all Floridians deserve a fair shot at success.”

Recent polls suggest that the gubernatorial race is in a dead heat between Crist, a former Republican now seeking the Democratic nomination, and current Republican Governor Rick Scott. Many believe Taddeo-Goldstein’s strong ties to Miami-Dade’s overwhelmingly Latino voter based will serve as a crucial demographic asset. Although Governor Rick Scott also tapped a Latino running mate for Lt. Governor, Carlos Lopez-Cantera, Crist’s advisors have noted that Taddeo-Goldstein has developed a reputation of inclusivity that allows enables her to connect with Latinos, women and the entire community.

Taddeo-Goldstein said that, “as a working mom, a small business owner and a Floridian, I am proud to serve this state that has given me so many opportunities.” As Lt. Governor, she hopes to rectify exclusion in Florida where “too many people across Florida are feeling left out and behind.”

Fox News Latino