Democrat Karla Hernandez-Mats, candidate for lieutenant governor, campaigns in SWFL

Reporter: Emma Heaton Writer: Matthew Seaver
Published: Updated:
Karla Hernandez-Mats
Karla Hernandez-Mats. (Credit: WINK News)

Charlie Crist and his running mate are hitting the campaign trail, hoping to win your vote for governor in November.

Democrat Karla Hernandez-Mats spent her Tuesday in Southwest Florida making appearances at multiple events.

Hernandez-Mats said Crist chose her because he understands that she’s a woman who advocates for rights, and she said that’s what women in particular need in Florida.

Crist said Hernandez-Mats has a good heart.

“I am a mom, a teacher, an advocate for special needs students out of Miami-Dade. And I am the nominee for lieutenant governor,” said Hernandez-Mats.

Her first stop of the day was at Collier County’s Choice. It is the choice breakfast where Hernandez-Mats addressed Democratic voters’ questions about abortion rights and affordable housing.

Karla Hernandez-Mats at at Collier County’s Choice.(Credit: WINK News)

Everything has to go right for the Republican turned Democrat Crist to upset incumbent Governor Ron DeSantis.

His first decision as the nominee was to choose Hernandez-Mats as his running mate. A person who has no political or legislative experience.

WINK News asked Hernandez-Mats if her lack of experience was a concern for her.

“I’m not worried because I feel like, and this is, this is actually an excellent question, because a lot of people ask me, well, how do you know the issues, and I tell people that as a classroom teacher, we’re a microcosm of what happens in communities,” Hernandez-Mats said.

Hernandez-Mats said she echoes Crist’s values. Starting with what she believes is a woman’s absolute right to an abortion.

As a former teacher, she doesn’t support what DeSantis has done in schools.

“They’re banning books and censoring how we teach, and teachers can teach with authenticity, I feel like all of that just, you know, it comes to a pivotal point in the classroom because we see and experience all these things,” said Hernandez-Mats.

Hernandez-Mats’ second stop was in Cape Coral. She attended a house party hosted by the leader of the Lee County Democratic Party. There she delivered remarks and chatted with fellow Democrats.

Her final destination of the day was a meet and greet in Sarasota. She is making the rounds in hopes that by election day, people will know her name and what she stands for.

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