This had been anticipated for some time, but it doesn't make the news any more welcome: Florida Governor Charlie Crist, perhaps the most popular politician in the state at this moment, looks ready to run for the open United States Senate seat currently held by the retiring Mel Martinez.
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (R) will be announcing Tuesday that he will be running for the Senate, according to a source close to the governor, giving Republicans their most high-profile recruit of the 2010 election cycle.
Crist's decision puts Republicans in strong position to hold onto the seat held by retiring Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) Crist holds high approval ratings among both Republicans and Democrats, according to statewide polling, and has forged a moderate governing style that has won him widespread support.
Crist starts in the drivers' seat, but with Republican primary challenger Marco Rubio in the race as well, things could get hairy for him:
Crist starts out as the frontrunner to succeed Martinez. But he will first be facing a primary against an up-and-coming conservative challenger, former state House Speaker Marco Rubio. Many Florida conservatives have begun to rally around Rubio over dissatisfaction with Crist’s moderate positions, particularly his vigorous advocacy of President Barack Obama’s stimulus package.
One major unanswered question is whether former Florida governor Jeb Bush will back his gubernatorial successor, or stay on the sidelines during the primary.
Crist is prepared to leave the governorship in the midst of a rough budget crisis. Sweet of him.
If he wins the primary, he will face either Democratic Rep. Kendrick Meek or Democratic State Sen. Dan Gelber in the general.