Report: Florida Governor Charlie Crist to Run for Senate

When Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter switched parties late last month, part of his rationale for becoming a Democrat was that moderate Republicans in Congress were a dying breed. It looks like Florida Governor Charlie Crist will try to buck that trend by running for retiring Republican Senator Mel Martinez's open seat in 2010. CNN reports that Crist is close to announcing a run for Senate, perhaps early next week.

Crist's popularity in Florida would save the Republicans from having to pour money into any campaign mounted by a less popular state politician. Former Governor Jeb Bush, who would offer the GOP the same kind of financial leverage, took himself out of contention for the seat in January.

Crist is considered to be a centrist Republican, mostly due to his vocal support of President Obama's stimulus package. Crist maintains his moderate image by staying off the subject of wedge issues like gay marriage and abortion, both of which he opposes.

If Crist is indeed in the race, he will have to compete in a primary battle with former Florida Speaker of the House Marco Rubio, who will announce his intention to run for the seat on his website Tuesday. JaxPoliticsOnline blogger Abel Harding writes:

Rubio has come out swinging. In his announcement, he took a step that many saw as unprecedented-attacking sitting Senators of his own party with whom he would have to caucus, assuming he won the primary and general election. Lashing out at Maine Republicans Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe, Rubio said that adding to their ranks was essentially the same as electing a Democrat.

Adam Smith, writer for Florida politics blog The Buzz offers up five good reasons why Charlie Crist is in a much better position than Specter was before he switched parties. Smith also reports that the conservative group that Specter criticized for targeting moderate Republicans when he announced his party switch, Club for Growth, likes Rubio. Their president Chris Chocola touted Rubio by saying, "His fiscally responsible, pro-growth approach in the State Capitol stands in stark contrast with other elements of the state government, led by Charlie Crist." Chocola went on to say, "Speaker Rubio's announcement is good news for Florida's families and businesses, and I welcome his entry in the race."