In the sole debate of the Florida governor’s race, the Republican incumbent, Ron DeSantis, was put on the defensive by his Democratic challenger, Charlie Crist, on subjects including abortion and DeSantis’s presidential ambitions.

Crist called Florida’s 15-week abortion ban, which does not include exceptions for rape or incest, “callous and barbaric”.

DeSantis said he was proud of the ban but would not say if he supported further restrictions. He also made a string of false claims.

“I would like to see everybody have a shot,” DeSantis said. “I’m proud of the 15 weeks that we did. I know Charlie Crist opposes that even though the baby is fully formed, has a heartbeat, can feel pain and can suck their thumb.”

A fetus can suck its thumb at 12 weeks but is not fully formed at 15.

Regarding pain, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says: “The science conclusively establishes that a human fetus does not have the capacity to experience pain until after at least 24–25 weeks.

“Every major medical organization that has examined this issue and peer-reviewed studies on the matter have consistently reached the conclusion that abortion before this point does not result in the perception of pain in a fetus.”

DeSantis also claimed Crist supported abortion “until the moment of birth”, a procedure that does not exist, and “dismemberment abortions”, which the New York Times called “a pejorative term for procedures performed later in pregnancy that, when they do happen, are often prompted by medical emergencies or severe fetal abnormalities”.

Democrats hope the supreme court’s removal of the right to abortion will fuel success in November. More than 60% of Americans say abortion should be legal and in elections this summer, the threat to abortion rights appeared to drive increased turnout among women and produce notable Democratic victories.

But with midterms election day now two weeks away, the signs are less promising for Democrats.

In Florida, Fivethirtyeight.com puts DeSantis more than eight points up. Tuesday’s debate was therefore something of a last chance for Crist, a former Republican governor who switched parties and now sits in the US House.

DeSantis is the strongest challenger to Donald Trump in polls regarding Republican presidential candidates in 2024. Crist tried to get him to commit to serving a second four-year term in Tallahassee if he wins the 8 November election. DeSantis would not bite.

Crist said: “Why don’t you look in the eyes of the people of the state of Florida and say to them if you’re re-elected, you will serve a full four-year term as governor? Yes or no?”

DeSantis did not respond.

Crist said: “It’s not a tough question. It’s a fair question. He won’t tell you.”

Crist also hit DeSantis on his management of the response to Hurricane Ian; his culture wars-inspired attacks on businesses including Walt Disney; the cost of living; and immigration, including a September stunt in which the governor used state funds to fly undocumented migrants to Massachusetts.

Crist called that flight to Martha’s Vineyard, which has spawned lawsuits and investigations, “a horrible political stunt”.

DeSantis said the flight “put this issue front and center” and claimed: “We have elites in this country who want to impose policies on” ordinary Americans.

The governor repeatedly linked Crist to Joe Biden – the president’s approval ratings are low – as the two men sparred over who had done most to stoke political division.

DeSantis said: “The day after Charlie Crist won his primary, he said anyone that supports the governor, you have hate in your heart and I don’t want your vote. Well, think what that means.”

Crist said: “You love dividing our state, you know, whether it’s Blacks against whites, whether it’s gay against straight, whether it’s young versus old. You’re making it harder for people to vote.”