Crist signs ‘No Big Sugar Money’ pledge
Nonpartisan clean water group previously endorsed DeSantis in 2018
Today, Charlie Crist’s campaign announced that VoteWater, a nonpartisan, grassroots organization dedicated to combating systemic pollution, ending the mismanagement of our waterways, and keeping Florida’s water clean, has endorsed Charlie Crist to be the next governor of Florida.
Crist announced that he signed the No Big Sugar Money pledge not to accept campaign contributions from the sugar industry. To date, Governor DeSantis has accepted $2 million in contributions from Big Sugar-backed committees this cycle.
VoteWater’s general election endorsement follows Crist’s ongoing dedication to protect Florida’s environment and waterways, including unveiling his “Clean Water for All” plan in the first few months of his campaign for governor.
“I’m thrilled to earn the endorsement of VoteWater as we fight to protect Florida’s water and environment for generations to come,” said Charlie Crist. “I’m proud to reject the same Big Sugar money that pollutes DeSantis’ campaign. Ron has forgotten that clean water is inextricably linked to Florida’s environment, economy, and way of life. Without water, we have nothing. As your next governor, I will always work to keep Florida’s water clean and the economy strong. That includes finishing the job we started on the missing link for Everglades restoration: acquiring sugar land and sending Lake Okeechobee water south.”
“Charlie Crist is the only candidate talking about acquiring more land south of Lake Okeechobee,” said Gil Smart, VoteWater Executive Director. “There seems to be this idea that once we’ve completed the EAA reservoir and other projects in the pipeline the problem of discharges to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries will be solved. But that’s not true, we need more land for water storage and treatment — and Charlie Crist is the only candidate talking about that. With the Blue-Green Algae and Harmful Algal Bloom/red tide task forces, Florida convened some of its best scientific minds to tackle the problem, then ignored most of their recommendations. Charlie Crist is the only candidate talking about adopting all the recommendations to prevent another algae crisis. And Charlie Crist has agreed to sign our ‘No Big Sugar Money’ pledge, vowing to take no money directly from Florida’s powerful sugar industry.”
Crist has also earned the endorsement of the Florida Conservation Voters as well as the endorsement of the Florida Chapter of the Sierra Club, the oldest, largest environmental advocacy organization in the nation.
VoteWater’s endorsement comes as Crist’s momentum builds in the Florida governor’s race, with nearly $1 million recently raised from national donors and the recent unveiling of the Take Back Your Power plan to lower energy costs for Floridians across the state.
Original source can be found here.
