Charlie Crist resigns from Congress as race for Florida governor ramps up

The Democratic lawmaker listed his achievements in his assertion, saying they “start and end with you, the people — my bosses — who have guided my work in Congress since Day One.” Crist’s transfer was first reported by the Tampa Bay Times.

Crist has one of many longest resumes in Florida political historical past. He served as Florida’s Republican governor from 2007 to 2011 however left the get together to run as an unbiased in his 2010 race for Senate in opposition to GOP Sen. Marco Rubio. He registered as a Democrats in 2012 after which made a failed bid in 2014 for governor in opposition to former governor and now-Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.).

Over his three a long time serving in political workplace as a Republican, Crist held positions within the Florida Senate and served as the state’s lawyer normal and schooling commissioner.

Resigning from Congress not solely makes it simpler for Crist to boost cash, however permits him to keep away from criticism that he spent extra time on the marketing campaign path than in Congress.

Crist started dealing with warmth from Republicans after media reports noted he was voting primarily by proxy slightly than in particular person. Through mid-April, Crist voted 18 occasions in particular person out of 125 votes.

Crist introduced he was working for governor forward of the state’s redistricting course of, which modified the make-up of his seat to be extra Republican-leaning. Republican Air Force veteran Anna Paulina Luna is dealing with Democrat Eric Lynn, a former official within the Obama administration, within the race for Florida’s 13^th District.