Crist campaign gets boost from PACs with utility ties

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Former Florida Governor Charlie Crist, a leading candidate in St. Petersburg's mayoral race, has received over $550,000 in campaign contributions from PACs with ties to major utilities including Duke Energy, Tampa Electric, and Florida Power & Light. The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy's executive director Stephen Smith criticized Crist's campaign for "shaking down" utility lobbyists for donations, while SACE's political arm has endorsed rival candidate Brandi Gabbard. The city is considering whether to break from Duke Energy, making the mayoral election consequential for St. Petersburg's energy future.