Charlie Crist is known as “The People’s Governor.”

As Governor from 2007-2011, Charlie helped lower the cost of doing business and living in Florida, increased transparency in government, strengthened Florida’s economy and ensured the safety and world-class education of Florida’s children. He also prevented the layoff of about 20,000 educators during the recession, stopped radical attacks on women’s rights, and signed landmark civil rights legislation allowing for the restoration of civil rights for nonviolent offenders.

A former Republican, Charlie has also served as the Attorney General, Commissioner of Education, and a State Senator.

Charlie was born in 1956 in Altoona, Pennsylvania but spent his childhood in St. Petersburg, where he was class president at St. Petersburg High School and, later, student body vice president at Florida State University. In high school, Charlie was the starting quarterback for his football team. He later played football at Wake Forest University before transferring and receiving his undergraduate degree from Florida State University in 1978. Charlie then earned his law degree from the Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham, Alabama.

Political, Politicians, Government & Political Professionals, Governors, Florida