DeSantis challenger Crist picks as running mate teacher union head who opposed re-opening schools

Florida Democrat governor nominee Rep. Charlie Crist has picked as his running mate a teachers union leader, a likely sign he's ready to take on incumbent GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis over hot-button education issues in the state, including public education amid the pandemic. 

Crist on Saturday night announced as his potential lieutenant governor Karla Hernandez-Mats, who could also help Florida Democrats in their efforts to win over Hispanic voters. 

DeSantis has pushed for in-person learning during the pandemic, while Hernandez-Mats, whose union represents more than 30,000 school employees, expressed opposition to re-opening schools in April 2020.

In October 2020, Hernandez-Mats' union also criticized school re-openings. 

Several of Hernandez-Mats' old tweets were recirculated after Crist announced her as his pick.

In one post last year, Hernandez-Mats seemingly compared horror movie characters to parents at school board meetings opposed to COVID-19 vaccines.

"For any of you following the school board meetings, you know that the craziness is real. God be with us. #antivaxxers #disinformation #misinformation," reads the tweet, which includes a cartoon character with a chain saw.

In July 2020, Hernandez-Mats tweeted a cartoon showing that fearing Halal meat, celebrating Columbus Day and saying "I don't see color" contributes to genocide and lynching.