Crist’s enters U.S. Senate race
by Michael C. Bender | May 12th, 2009It’s official.
After months of speculation, Republican Charlie Crist announced this morning he will forgo a second term as governor and instead run for the open U.S. Senate seat in 2010.
“Here in Florida, we’ve shown that when we put people first and work together much can be accomplished, and I intend to bring that same approach to Washington,” Crist said in a statement.
“That is why, after thoughtful consideration with my wife Carole, I have decided to run for the U.S. Senate.”
(Read the statement here.)
Crist is the first governor to decline a re-election bid since voters amended the constitution in 1968 to let the state’s chief executive seek a second four-year term.
It will be Crist’s fourth campaign in 10 years, all for different statewide elected seats. No other Florida politician has been elected to four different statewide seats.
Loading ...The announcement was met with an immediate endorsement from Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. (Read that statement here.)
The endorsement is significant considering Crist’s announcement creates a GOP primary with former House Speaker Marco Rubio, R-West Miami. Rubio has indicated he would remain in the race even if “more famous” candidates entered.
Rubio said in an Internet post that he was “disappointed” in the endorsement.
“Remember that reform must always come from the outside,” Rubio wrote. “Status quo won’t change itself.” (Rubio put out a formal statement here.)
Democrats in the U.S. Senate race include U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek of Miami, state Sen. Dan Gelber of Miami Beach and North Miami Mayor Kevin Burns.
Crist’s announcement is expected to set off a slew of changes in Florida politics, which could mean open races for five of the state’s six elected offices, including the U.S. Senate seat that Republican Mel Martinez is vacating, the governor’s office and all three Cabinet positions: agriculture commissioner, attorney general and CFO.
State CFO Alex Sink, a Democrat, is expected to run for governor.
“My next step is to hear what the governor has to say,” she said this morning in Orlando. “I’m very interest in what he has to say and then we’ll go from there.”
The top Republican candidate for governor (after former Gov. Jeb Bush said he will not seek the job) is expected to be Attorney General Bill McCollum. McCollum, also also in Orlando today, said he’ll announce his election plans next week.
“This decision obviously changes the political landscape in Florida,” McCollum said about Crist.
State Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson, who must resign in 2010 because of term limits, has already said he is interested in seeking the Republican nomination for governor.
The political upheaval comes in what many have characterized as the worst economic crisis in state history.
The state budget has dropped nearly $7 billion in three years, or about 10 percent, and lawmakers turned to cigarette taxes increases, about $1 billion in new fees and a pay cut for state workers to help balance the budget this year.
National Democrats are using the state crisis to paint Crist as a political opportunist, more interested in running for office instead of solving the state’s problems.
“Leadership does not mean driving your state into an economic ditch and then ditching your responsibilities,” said Eric Shultz, communications director for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
The DSCC has released one television commercial (embedded to the right) in the Tallahassee area that targets Crist.
Signaling at least some concern about that perception, Crist will put out a brief statement this morning instead of holding a press conference to announce his decision. His press office, however, has invited the media to join him for a “Boots to Books” press conference this morning and another later to launch a tourism program called “Viva Florida!”
Crist ran and lost for U.S. Senate in 1998 against incumbent Democrat Bob Graham. Crist the state’s last elected education commission in 2000. His other statewide elected offices were attorney general in 2002 and governor in 2006.
Republican Party of Florida officials said Crist wanted a “low-key” announcement today.
That’s a departure from 2005, when he announced his candidacy for governor by recruiting “America’s Most Wanted” host John Walsh to deliver his campaign papers.
In 2000, he announced his campaign for education commissioner, which is now an appointed position, by inviting supporters and teachers to St. Petersburg High School, his alma mater.
Crist’s election to three statewide offices already puts him in a select group. Republican Tom Gallagher won elections as the state’s education commissioner and treasurer before becoming CFO in 2002. Before that, the only Floridian to hold three statewide offices was Democrat Park Trammell, a former attorney general and governor who was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1916.
RPOF Chairman Jim Greer said Crist has “been listening to people telling him across the state that Washington is affecting their lives.”
“He needs to go to Washington to fight for them,” Greer said.
“This is a historic time,” Greer said. “Where normally it takes quite some time for the decisions from Congress to have some impact, they’re literally having an impact in hours.”
OTHER DEVELOPMENTS TODAY:
Crist picks first two campaign employees: Dane Eagle and Pablo Diaz.
Rubio on Fox News: Primary will define Republicanism.
Jeb Bush for Governor (again?): Not interested
PBC GOP chief: Not pumped about Crist’s Senate bid
Gelber: “Hard to understand…”
Karen Thurman, Florida Democratic Party chairwoman : Crist running from Florida
DSCC: He’s jumping ship when he’s needed the most.
Lawton “Bud” Chiles II, health advocate: Florida needs committed leaders, not self-serving politicians
U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell: I am pleased to endorse Gov. Charlie Crist.
Crist: I’m doing it for the people
Tags: Alex Sink, Bill McCollum, Charlie Bronson, Charlie Crist, Dan Gelber, Jeb Bush, Kendrick Meek, Marco Rubio
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May 12th, 2009 at 9:48 am
Well, if the Rs are foolish enough actually nominate the guy, that will make 2 Ds in the race instead of one.
Looks like I’ll have to sit this one out.
May 12th, 2009 at 10:24 am
Crist effective in the US SENATE????? Surely you jest…… Does the economic state of Florida and the insurance and tax fiascos say anything good about the man? The country is struggling enough already!!!!
May 12th, 2009 at 10:32 am
Well, he already delivered blackjack to the seminoles. I suppose his work as governor is done.
May 12th, 2009 at 10:37 am
National Democrats are using the state crisis to paint Crist as a political opportunist, more interested in running for office instead of solving the state’s problems.
Oh really, just like State Legislator and Social Activist Obama (oh, excuse me, President)?
May 12th, 2009 at 11:08 am
Crist is being specifically “outed” in the new documentary, “Outrage”, a film about Republican politicians who are purported to be gay and closeted, yet voting and working to restrict gay rights.
There have been rumors about Crist’s sexual orientation for years now. Many feel he only considered marriage when his political ambitions grew. He knew that a single republican would be the subject of gossip and whispering.
I don’t know, and personally don’t care if he’s gay, but I do care about hypocritical politicians who try to hoodwink the public over their private peccadilloes and preferences. I appreciate honesty, not subterfuge, which often gets them in trouble, betraying the public trust.
I don’t think this issue will go away, not for conservative republicans, not for those who are tired of lying politicians. The claims are going to be a distraction, as will having a politically ambitious governor who will not be concentrating on Florida’s problems over the coming year. We the citizens of the sunshine state will have to put up with more inaction, more legislative shenanigans, more wasted opportunities.
A first term senator has little power or influence in congress, particularly in a democratic controlled Senate. Perhaps Crist has presidential ambitions too. If so, that’s even more inattention to Floridia centric issues.
May 12th, 2009 at 11:13 am
Charlie’s leaving Florida could only be a boon to both our economy and our social construct. I honestly believe that, although he began his 30 months well, he has been a grve dissappointment both as a candidate and a person.
May 12th, 2009 at 11:16 am
every career politician is a self serving opportunist and a bligth on society.
Mr. Christ, you’ve served. Thank you.
Now, get off the dole and go home.
Like all these career politicians, he’s moving on to advance the agenda of his financial benefactors.
they are all a blight on society
May 12th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
I am a democrat and must support Crist; we don’t have a viable alternative. Besides, Crist MUST defeat the nut case Rubio. God help this state, no country, if Rubio defeats Crist.
May 12th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
Isn’t it a sad commentary when those who
are running for U.S. Senate don’t have any high standards? As I have been saying recently-Charlie should work on his tan because he certaintly didn’t work for the people of Florida. If all
else fails-may be the President will throw him a bone. Sadly, he has been a very big disappointment politically. It
only goes to show you his heart was never in it-he always wanted the Senate
and couldn’t get it before so he compromised by doing us a favor. Let’s see if he gets in now???I surely hope not.
May 12th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
I think Charlie Crist is an empty shirt. He promised Florida a redction on home owners insurance, I can’t see a difference. He promised us a reduction in
Real Estate taxes, my taxes were reduced by $20 per month. Now we less money fro Police Officers, Fire men, and Education. I’d rather pay the $20.
May 12th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
Wait a minute I am trying to act surprised! Everyone knew he was in it for his future goals, including his marriage. He said he has Fl interest at heart. LOL! Yea right. What happened to his “children first” campaign? What a joke, like him. How many time has tuition for state schools gone up under him? Where are our schols rated? LOL! Oh yea, I will be voting for the orange man. Can someone direct him to a good tanning booth.
May 12th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
SS, still laughing!
May 18th, 2009 at 10:33 am
[...] Democratic state CFO Alex Sink into the race to replace Republican Gov. Charlie Crist. Crist said Tuesday he’d run for U.S. Senate. All three candidates were up for re-election in [...]
May 18th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
Crist has many followers; other “soundbite” candidates who will use his vacating the governor’s house to wage their own campaigns on company (taxpayer) time. Once again, Florida will be the laughingstock of the nation as Americans watch political hopscotch in a state where leadership is lacking and political cronyism is the name of the game. It should be a lot of fun (in a sickening sort of way) to watch so GET READY FLORIDA: here come the disgusting political ads replacing the injury lawyers on the 6:00 NEWS. LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!!
June 9th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
[...] The duo even brought in John Walsh, the host of America’s Most Wanted, who has been at Crist’s side several times before, including Crist’s signing of the “anti-murder” law in 2007 and when Crist announced his campaign for governor in 2005. [...]