As the gubernatorial campaign of Charlie Crist enters its stretch run, he's getting timely outside help.
Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison, Florida Democratic Party Chair Manny Diaz and Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, who lost the August Primary to Crist, were among the speakers Thursday afternoon in Jacksonville.
The event started nearly an hour after the 5:00 opening, with dozens of supporters finally arrived by the 6:20 p.m. beginning.
"This is one of the most important midterm elections of our lifetime," Harrison said. "I am thrilled we are beginning our bus tour in Jacksonville."
"We are ready to elect Crist," Harrison said. "We are ready to elect Val Demings as our next Senator."
Harrison said Demings left "track marks" on Marco Rubio during the debate this week.
"He's still drinking water," Harrison joked.
An Amber Alert went off on dozens of phones as Harrison spoke, adding a somber tone to the pitch, while seeming like apt symbolism to one observer. A child was missing.
Soon enough. the Chair was back to his pitch, painting Republicans as extreme on abortion and other issues. Harrison got another joke about Gov. Ron DeSantis in before the end of the rally, joking that Democrats would "send him to Venezuela."
Crist was energetic, displaying a pugnacious style that felt like a preview of the sole debate of the gubernatorial campaign next week.
"He doesn't care about us. He doesn't care about working folks. You know what he cares about? Running for President in 2024."
Crist spotlighted the affordability crisis, including gas and utility prices, blaming DeSantis for a "lapdog" Public Service Commission and searing "this clown" for not cutting the gas tax until October.
He also spotlighted abortion, a key issue of the campaign, including a young incest victim who had the leave the state for the "cure she needed and the care she needed."
"We've got 19 days to get this done, and this race is as tight as a tick," Crist said.
Commissioner Fried talked about a rally she did at this same IBEW electrical hall, noting that she stumped on back of a pickup truck in heels. She said again she wanted DeSantis to be a "one-term Governor" and a "zero-term President," remarks familiar to those covering the Primary.
"It has been my absolute honor and privilege to represent you in the Florida Cabinet the last four years," Fried said near the close, a recognition that her time as the only elected statewide Democrat has all but wrapped.
State Rep. Tracie Davis led a "Vote them out" chant. Davis is running for Senate with a write-in opponent, so she is likely safe in November.
Davis also said it was necessary to "drag" 18 to 30 year olds to polls.
"If we don't have 18 to 30 year olds voting with us, we are not going to be successful," the third term legislator said.
Jacksonville City Councilwoman Ju'Coby Pittman also hyped the election.
"Why are we here today? The next 19 days, they are very important," Pittman said. "We need to make sure that no Democrat is left behind."
In the crowd, but not speaking: CFO hopeful Adam Hattersley. He was at least acknowledged from the stage.
The Florida stop is the first in the series of swing-state travels for Harrison. Crist's event is billed as a "bus tour kickoff," meanwhile, so iterations of the event Thursday likely will occur elsewhere as Election Day nears.
