Charlie Crist was proud to have received the endorsement of Corrections USA, which was formed by correctional officers in 1998 to provide national representation to correctional officers employed by federal, state and local governments, and proudly represents over 80,000 publicly employed correctional officers from across this nation, including Florida’s Correctional Officers.


We are proud to announce our support for your campaign for the United House Senate. You have a demonstrated record as Governor, Attorney General, and State Senator of fighting on behalf of Florida’s Correctional Officers. Our members appreciate your fight to give them better wages and salaries, and your unwavering opposition to private prisons.


Correctional Officers across the nation know that we can count on you to stand with Corrections USA as we fight the privatization of federal, state, and local correctional facilities. We look forward to working with you in the 112th Congress as we continue fighting prison privatizations, as well as insuring collective bargaining rights to improve working conditions, pay, and benefits for our Officers.


We are strongly encouraging our Members and their families to support your campaign. In addition, we will be sending out a press release to the local media endorsing your candidacy.

The editorial below was published in the St. Petersburg Times on June 22, 2010:

Gov. Charlie Crist is moving in the right direction now that he has left the Republican Party and freed himself from pandering to its conservative base. Last week, the independent candidate for the U.S. Senate eased his stance on Cuba. Then he said he no longer supports Florida’s ban on gay couples adopting children. Crist’s transformation may be about politics. But the governor is lending his voice to decency and moving Florida forward.

Crist embraced President Barack Obama’s decision last year to relax travel barriers for Cuban-Americans who wish to visit their relatives on the island. Crist supports the Democratic administration’s decision to retain the trade embargo, but to allow Cuban-Americans to freely visit relatives on the island and to send money. Former President George W. Bush imposed tough restrictions limiting family visits to one every three years. He also limited how much money Cuban-Americans could send.

Bush’s restrictions were an affront to the right Americans have to travel freely and without government interference. They also kept families apart, adding to the misery that Cubans have suffered for generations. Bush also handed Cuba’s communist government a public relations opportunity to blame the United States for splitting up Cuban families and denying them access to much needed cash. If Crist’s position wins him votes or campaign contributions, it will be a recognition that the old restrictions aimed at Cuba have failed and that it is time for a new direction.

The governor pivoted again on gay rights. He no longer supports Florida’s blanket ban against gay couples from adopting children, the only such prohibition in the country. Crist said he now favors allowing judges to make those decisions on “a case-by-case basis.” That is the practical, decent thing to do. With some 19,000 children in foster care, the state should be doing everything it can to find these children strong, safe and permanent homes. Detractors may dismiss Crist as a political opportunist. But it is good to see him use the opportunity of a U.S. Senate race to move toward the middle.

Florida is taking our campaign’s message of “People Over Politics” to heart. Yesterday, the Florida Chamber of Commerce released a poll that shows Charlie widening his lead over his opponents. This is good news. Florida hears our message. But for Washington to take notice, we need to be as loud and clear as possible.


Show your support. Send a small donation, or visit our Take Action page, and learn about what you can do to take charge and make your voice heard.

Will Big Oil do what’s right to fix the damage it has caused with its oil spill? What should the role of an elected official be during a disaster like the oil spill?


Charlie Crist answers 10 big questions from readers in Florida and across America.









Read the article.

Poll: Charlie Crist maintains lead in U.S. Senate race


BY LEE LOGAN
HERALD/TIMES TALLAHASSEE BUREAU


Gov. Charlie Crist leads a three-way matchup for the U.S. Senate in a new Quinnipiac University poll of Florida voters, while both of the top Republican contenders for governor lead likely Democratic nominee Alex Sink.


The poll also shows Floridians have soured on additional offshore oil drilling and disapprove of President Barack Obama’s response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.


In the marquee race this fall, the independent Crist leads with 37 percent of the vote, compared to 33 percent for Republican Marco Rubio and 17 percent for Democrat Kendrick Meek.


Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/06/09/1671174/poll-charlie-crist-maintains-lead.html#ixzz0qRzBqbus

Governor Crist was honored last Saturday to receive the Outstanding Leadership Award from the Dade County Police Benevolent Association. The Governor was proud to accept the award surrounded by scores of Miami’s finest and most dedicated public servants, the men and women who work tirelessly to keep our communities safe. At an awards ceremony held on Miami Beach, the Governor received an award inscribed with words that capture the heart of our campaign for US Senate.


“A leader is someone who inspires, someone who leads justly when others won’t or can’t, someone who will risk personal peril to stand up for what is right. The honesty, integrity and bravery you have show is what every leader should aspire towards. You are a true leader and we are honored to call you our friend. Thank you for your dedicated leadership, unwavering friendship and commitment to law enforcement’s brave men and women.”

Governor Crist was proud to receive the endorsement of the Florida Education Association, the state’s largest teachers union. After Governor Crist put people over politics this spring in Tallahassee, we’re looking forward to the support of teachers, students and parents around the state! Here’s what the FEA had to say about Governor Crist: “Crist’s actions showed so many Floridians that their voices count. We think an independent Charlie Crist working for Floridians would be a great asset in the Senate.”