Gov. Charlie Crist (R-FL) has officially announced his campaign for the U.S. Senate seat of retiring GOP Sen. Mel Martinez, giving the Republicans an immediate frontrunner in this perennial swing state.
Crist faces a primary against conservative challenger Marco Rubio, the former state House Speaker who will likely blast Crist’s support for the stimulus bill. Rubio put out a statement declaring: “My campaign will offer GOP voters a clear alternative to the direction some want to take our party.”
The GOP establishment has made its choice clear: NRSC chairman John Cornyn put out a statement endorsing Crist: “With his record of reform in Florida, I know that Governor Crist will bring a fresh perspective to Washington in our efforts to fight for lower taxes, less government, and new job creation for all Americans.”
Cornyn also said of Rubio: “While I believe Marco Rubio has a very bright future within the Republican Party, Charlie Crist is the best candidate in 2010 to ensure that we maintain the checks and balances that Floridians deserve in the United States Senate.”
The Democratic nomination is currently being fought over by Rep. Kendrick Meek and state Sen. Dan Gelber.
Late Update: DSCC communications director Eric Schultz released this statement, hammering Crist: “Charlie Crist’s record in Florida is not one to be proud of. His administration has created an economic mess with record deficits, staggering unemployment, and a mortgage crisis that has hit nearly every Florida community. Too many in Florida are hurting because Governor Crist has failed to provide leadership and a way out of this mess. He’s jumping ship when he’s needed the most. That isn’t leadership – it is an abdication of responsibility.”
