Florida
Charlie Crist (R)
Thursday, November 9, 2006; Page A42
Florida Gov.-elect Charlie Crist, 50, ran to victory on a combination of his affable demeanor and moderate Republican politics.
Crist was elected to the state Senate in 1992 and developed a reputation for being tough on crime. He earned the nickname "Chain Gang Charlie" after he sponsored a bill that would have revived the use of chain gangs.
  (Chris O'meara - AP)
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He was then elected as Florida's education commissioner in 2000, serving as a cheerleader for Gov. Jeb. Bush's education reform plan, and then attorney general in 2002.
Crist won the governor's mansion by defeating Democratic Rep. Jim Davis, who had depicted Crist and the Bush administration as captives of big-business interests and out of touch with Florida residents. Crist raised $19.6 million for the race, compared with Davis's $6.7 million.
