Crist Says Education And Economy Most Important Issues In Governor Race

Education and the economy will be the most important issues in Florida’s governor race.

That’s what Democratic candidate — and former Republican governor — Charlie Crist told MSNBC’s Ed Schultz on Monday.

Crist, Democratic former state Sen. Nan Rich and Republican Gov. Rick Scott have all talked about education early in the race to try and distinguish themselves from each other.

Crist continues to criticize Scott for cutting the K-12 budget in 2011 and other policies such as requiring teachers are evaluated mostly based on student test scores. (Scott argues the cuts were necessary to close a budget shortfall Crist left behind. Scott has pushed for more K-12 funding the last two years.)

“I think education and the economy,” Crist said when asked about the most important issues in the race. “I think they go hand-in-hand.

“How can you talk about getting good, high-paying jobs for people if you don’t have a solid education system, that you support properly, and that you back up and you don’t demoralize public school teachers?”

Watch the whole interview here (it starts at 2:50 and the comments on education are at 12:18).