Former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist announced Tuesday morning he’s running as a Democrat for Florida’s 13th Congressional District during a press conference in St. Petersburg.
The ex-Republican touted straying from his former political party, saying he has voted for women’s rights and took a stand by endorsing President Barack Obama.
“Washington bickers with itself, all they do is argue all day long.” he said in his speech. “They fail to listen to the people. I have always tried to listen to the people. I don’t always get it right, but I listen.”
Crist, who said he wouldn’t seek office in 2016 in March, said he feels it’s his duty to serve the people of Florida.
“Public service is in my heart, I can’t help it,” he said. “Somebody needs to step up, somebody needs to lead.”
Christ served as governor of the Sunshine State from 2007 to 2011 as a Republican. He decided to run for Senate in 2010, but was edged out of the nomination by then-Florida Speaker of the House [crscore]Marco Rubio[\crscore]. He then ran as an independent in the general election, which he lost to Rubio by a landslide.
After his failed bid for the U.S. Senate, he announced in 2012 via Twitter he was switching political parties. Christ attempted to get back in the state’s governor’s mansion 2014 — this time as a Democrat, but lost to Republican Rick Scott.
If he fails to win the seat, he with be the first politician in 95 years in the state to lose elections for governor, the U.S. Senate and U.S. House, the Tampa Bay Times reports.
The seat he is allegedly seeking is currently held by Republican Rep. [crscore]David Jolly[\crscore], who is running for the state’s open Senate seat. The lines of the district are expected to be redrawn to heavily favor Democrats.
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