Gov. Charlie Crist (I-FL), the ex-Republican who left his former party to run for Senate as an independent, has received the endorsement of a top-ranking Florida Democrat: State Senate Minority Leader Al Lawson.
“Florida desperately needs an independent senator in Washington who will fight for good jobs and economic opportunity, a quality education for every child, and Social Security for all of our seniors regardless of what the political party bosses want,” Lawson said in a statement. “Charlie Crist will be exactly that Senator, and I am proud to endorse his candidacy.”
This is certainly a big get for Crist, on multiple levels. Obviously, snagging the support of a top state Democrat is as clear a sign as he needs for Dem voters that it’s admissible to vote for him. It also feeds into the widely held narrative — never confirmed or denied by Crist — that he would caucus as a Democrat in Washington.
Furthermore, Lawson is a senior African-American legislator, and the only black state lawmaker from northern Florida. This could potentially help Crist make inroads with black voters, part of the crucial Democratic base he will need to take away from the actual Democratic nominee, Rep. Kendrick Meek, who is also African-American.
The TPM Poll Average currently gives Republican nominee Marco Rubio a narrow lead of 35.1% to Crist’s 34.6%, with Meek way behind at 17.8%.
Lawson also recently ran for Congress, challenging incumbent conservative Dem Allen Boyd in the primary, and lost by the narrow margin of 51.45%-48.55%.
