‘A mission to keep Florida free’: DeSantis, Rubio stump in Geneva a day after primary election

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio held a campaign event in Seminole County’s Geneva neighborhood Wednesday afternoon, one day after the state’s primary election.

The pair also held rallies in Jacksonville and Tampa on Wednesday.

DeSantis told supporters that everything he promised four years ago has been fulfilled, and he spent much of his time attacking Democratic officials in Washington and New York.

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“Florida has led on issue after issue,” he said. “We are going to take a stand, because we are on a mission to keep Florida free.”

DeSantis will run against U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, who previously served as the state’s governor, in the general election in November.

“The difference that separates him from me -- he’s a politician and I’m a leader,” he said.

Crist also hit the campaign trail earlier Wednesday.

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“When I was your governor, my approval rating was 72 percent,” he said.

Crist focused his message on Florida’s affordability crisis that has left people homeless and schools without enough teachers. He also touched on abortion access.

“I care about you, and your right to choose,” he said. “I care about you and your right to vote. I care about you and your right to have good teachers and to support them and pay them what they deserve.”

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Crist was critical of DeSantis, who many expect will run for president in 2024.

“His blind ambition for the presidency has taken his eye off the ball in the most beautiful state in the country,” he said.

DeSantis said he is not taking his reelection for granted, telling supporters they must vote for him in November if they want to preserve his “pro-parent” and “pro-freedom” agenda.

Read: 2022 Florida Primary: Election results

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