What’s at stake in the one and only Florida gubernatorial debate

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — ON TV: You can watch the debate between Gov. Ron DeSantis and Charlie Crist on CBS47 at 7 p.m.

On Monday night, incumbent Gov. Ron DeSantis will face off with Democratic gubernatorial nominee Charlie Crist in the one and only debate ahead of the November election.

During a campaign stop in Jacksonville Wednesday, Crist said it wouldn’t be difficult for voters to see the contrast between himself and DeSantis but lamented the fact voters will only have one opportunity to see the two square off.

>>> CLICK HERE TO STREAM THE DEBATE <<<

He was quick to put the blame on DeSantis for the lack of debates.

“We wanted to do three. The governor was only willing to do one,” Crist said. “But at least we have one and I think that’s important, and I look forward to it.”

We’ve reached out to the DeSantis campaign for its take on the solitary debate, but haven’t heard back.

Either way, UNF political science professor Sean Freeder argued one debate or three, there’s little expectation voters will be swayed one way or the other at this point.

Read: Democratic gubernatorial nominee Charlie Crist puts the spotlight on North Florida

“People don’t necessarily, especially the ones that are swing voters, watch these debates. You really have to have these major moments. Where debates might be more impactful would be if you have a candidate that maybe has not yet received a lot of statewide or national exposure,” Freeder said.

Freeder said overall, DeSantis, who leads by roughly eight points in the polls, has the most to lose on the debate stage, but Crist has a heavy lift if he hopes to shift the race in a meaningful way.

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“For Crist to get something out of this debate, he’s got to land something that will show up in the news, in every single paper and every broadcast the next day,” Freeder said. “And if he doesn’t do that, the debate won’t do much for him.”

The debate is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday night, just two weeks before Election Day.

Meanwhile, more than 1.16 million Floridians have already cast their vote through the mail as of Monday, Oct. 24.

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