On Saturday, Crist tapped Carla Hernandez-Matz, the head of the Miami-Dade teachers union and vice president of the American Federation of Teachers, to run for lieutenant governor. The pick signals Crist’s intention to highlight education policy — a key culture-war front in the Sunshine State — in the outsider’s campaign to unseat DeSantis. Democratic Rep. Charlie Crist is running an outsider campaign to unseat DeSantis.REUTERS/Marco Bello The Republican has drawn praise and criticism for several flippant education initiatives — including a ban on discussing sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade. Arguing that public schools should emphasize education rather than indoctrination, DeSantis has also banned the teaching of critical race theory to Florida students. Hernandez-Mats — a close ally of AFT leader Randi Weingarten — has been a staunch critic of DeSantis’ education stances and has vowed to help Crist topple his administration. Crist chose Carla Hernandez-Match, head of the Miami-Dade teachers union and vice president of the American Federation of Teachers, as his running mate.AP/Gaston De Cardenas “Tired of the culture wars and extremists dictating what we can and cannot say and do?” the former high school teacher asked at a news conference announcing her candidacy for office. Hernandez-Mats also strongly opposed DeSantis’ push to reopen schools amid concerns about COVID-19, even driving a hearse to a board meeting to warn of its potential consequences. Her detractors wasted no time in slamming her as a progressive extremist who loves Fidel Castro. A portable electronic billboard appeared in Hialeah over the weekend that flashed her photo along with a hammer and sickle and a tweet she posted in 2019 after the Cuban strongman’s death. “A political figure dies at 80. Most in Miami rejoice, many in Cuba mourn,” her post read. Christina Pushaw, who handles DeSantis’ media “rapid response” team, referred to Crist’s new partner as “Karla Marx” on Twitter. Pushaw and others also quickly noted her ties to Wendell Nibbs, a Miami teacher and influential union figure who pleaded guilty to sexual activity with a child in 2020. Hernandez-Matz fired back at that point, arguing that Florida Republicans should be concerned about Congressman Matt Gaetz, who is facing a federal investigation into sex-trafficking allegations. DeSantis warned his supporters to prepare for a contentious weekend campaign. “Hold up,” he told a rally. “Put on the full armor of God. Take a stand against the machinations of the Left and we will win.”
