HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — Two Democrats vying to unseat Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis took to a South Florida stage Thursday night, in the first and only debate between gubernatorial candidates Congressman Charlie Crist and Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried.

Ahead of the Aug. 23 primary election, each is looking to solidify their spot as the party’s nominee for governor.

The hour-long debate touched on topics like inflation, abortion and gun control. Much of the theme, however, rested on who’s the better Democrat.

Many of Fried’s attacks on Crist centered on his actions when he was formerly the Republican governor of Florida.

The discussion kicked off with talk of inflation and affordable housing.

Affordable Housing

“On day one, I’m declaring a housing emergency because of exactly what it is,” stated Fried. “That way, it gives me opportunity to allow our state attorneys — our state attorney general —  to start going after our predatory landlords.”

Crist had his own ideas on how to handle the issue.

“We need to make sure we fully fund the Sadowski Fund at the state budget level, hundreds of millions of dollars that can be used for Floridians to be able to put a roof over their head,” Crist returned. “It isn’t just for buying a home. It’s also for renting an apartment.”

Fried asserted Crist’s past of cutting the money to that fund back when he was governor; but to that, Crist responded he was in office during the Great Recession and did so to save jobs.

However, a check on that by Politifact shows 20,000 jobs were saved because of the federal stimulus that Congress voted on at the time.

The Abortion Issue

When it came to the topic of abortion Thursday night, each candidate voiced opposition to Florida’s recent ban on abortions after 15 weeks. Each claims to be “pro-choice.”

“I have been pro-choice my entire life,” Fried began, “I have made sure that I have stood on the side of women. Charlie cannot say the same thing. He has been ‘pro-life’ his entire life, including today. When he was governor, he appointed the most radical extremists into the Supreme Court."

In Crist’s rebuttal, he called her claim false.

“You’re trying to muddy it up, and let’s understand what’s going on here,” he retorted.

“You’re losing this campaign,” he continued. “It’s time for desperation, and that’s now on full display all over the state of Florida and I’m sorry to see that. But let me talk about what I believe. I have been pro-choice. Every action I have taken as an elected official has been pro-choice."

As for Fried’s claim about Crist’s Supreme Court appointees, he did tap Charles Canady and Ricky Polston to be justices during his time as governor. They’re still serving.

The Orlando Sentinel reports that Crist said this has been one of his regrets from his time serving as governor. However, Crist says he is proud he appointed Justices James E.C. Perry and Jorge Labarga.

When it comes to Crist’s claim about Fried losing this campaign, a poll out of St. Petersburg from a survey conducted June 16 and 17 shows 49% of those polled would vote for Crist; about 24% went for Fried, and nearly 27% said they are still undecided.