Alcee Hastings II endorses Charlie Crist for governor

“My father committed to supporting Charlie, because he felt that he was the best Democrat to take on Ron DeSantis.” Jody Hastings

Alcee “Jody” Hastings II, son of the late congressman, is endorsing Charlie Crist for governor, saying it reflects his father’s wishes.

“Charlie was a lifelong friend to my father, Congressman Alcee Hastings. Before he passed, my father committed to supporting Charlie, because he felt that he was the best Democrat to take on Ron DeSantis,” Jody Hastings said in a statement.

His endorsement Thursday comes two days after

Crist entered the race for governor — and before any of the other likely candidates have formally entered the race.

Hastings died on April 6 after serving in the House for more than 28 years, most recently in a district that included most of the African American and Caribbean American communities in Broward and Palm Beach counties.

Jody Hastings said his father had decided before he died to support Crist, who has unofficially been running for governor for months.

Crist is serving his fourth term as a Democratic member of Congress, after an earlier term as Florida’s Republican governor and time as state senator, education commissioner and attorney general.

The late congressman’s son had been at his father’s side at some events over the years but hasn’t been politically active.

“The communities that my father was so honored and privileged to represent in Congress need a leader like Charlie in Tallahassee. Charlie is someone who will tackle inequality head-on, listen to the people of Florida by seeking our advice and counsel. He had my father’s support, and he has got mine too,” he said.