Former state Sen. Skip Campbell, a Democrat who ran for attorney general in 2006, endorsed Charlie Crist’s independent bid for U.S. Senate today, and will host a fundraiser for him on Thursday.
“I love Kendrick,” Campbell said in an interview, referring to Democrat Kendrick Meek. “He’s a great guy but you have to look at the entire picture, which is electability.” Campbell said he knows that all to well. “When I was running for AG, I was not electable. It wasn’t meant to be.”
Campbell said he had not spoken with Meek about his decision but reached it after a couple months of deliberation. He said Democratic support for Crist is evidence every day he goes to L.A. Fitness in Coral Springs. “It’s just amazing how many of them are going to vote for Charlie.”
On Thursday, Campbell will host a fundraiser for Crist at his home in Coral Springs. Co-hosts include Brian Walsh, Ed Curtis, Tom Panza, Democratic state Rep. Ari Porth, and Susan Maurer.
Campbell said he thinks Crist has done a good job as governor and said he was not put off by Crist’s tendency to shift positions, one of the enduring knocks on his candidacy.
“Every politician and his brother at some point has changed their position on matters. It’s tough when you’ve got a record,” Campbell said.
Campbell said he entertained making a second run for AG this year but was too busy with his law practice. He did not rule out seeking office again. “I might look at something.”
Gov. Charlie Crist’s independent U.S. Senate campaign has landed its most prominent Democratic endorsement so far — from state Sen. Al Lawson of Tallahassee, who for the past two years has been the Democratic minority leader in the Florida Senate.
It’s almost certainly no accident that Lawson waited 10 days after his narrow defeat by U.S. Rep. Alan Boyd of Monticello for the Democratic nomination to the District 2 congressional seat. Still, the veteran state senator — he’s the “dean of the Legislature,” having first been elected to the House in 1982 and then to the Senate in 2000 — may give Crist a boost in parts of the Panhandle. Lawson, the only African American to serve in the Senate from North Florida, has always run well among black voters in Gadsden County and points west. But the fact that Democrat U.S. Senate nominee Kendrick Meek is also African American may diminish Lawson’s impact with those voters.
Still, it can’t hurt Crist to be praised by what passes for a “big-name” legislative Democrat, especially compared to his previous legislative endorsees — Sen. Maria Sachs and Reps. Ari Porth and Darryl Rouson.
“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,” said Lawson. “Charlie Crist will be exactly that Senator, and I am proud to endorse his candidacy.”
An Aug. 28-31 internal poll (MoE +/- 4.4%) for the Charlie Crist campaign points to a two-man race – Crist vs. Marco Rubio, who are virtually tied – while Meek remains an also-ran after his big primary win over Jeff Greene.
Crist and Meek split the Democratic vote, 37 percent each, while Crist pulls 21 percent of the Republican vote, compared to 66 percent for Rubio. Crist gets 55 percent of independents, compared t0 24 percent for Rubio
From pollster Keith Frederick: Several factors point to the consistent dynamic of this race going forward as a Crist-Rubio battle…
• Crist’s reservoir of positive image ratings (60%) above and beyond his current vote (35%);
• Crist’s appeal across segments of all Democratic, Republican, and Independent vote;
• Rubio’s solid standing and base with Republicans – that will keep his vote from dropping – but his limited appeal among Democrats and Independents; and• Kendrick Meek’s inability to consolidate Democratic vote and establish any beachhead vote with Independents during his Primary where Jeff Greene’s attack TV drove up Meek negatives and Meek exchanges isolated him to a portion of the Democratic vote.
Charlie Crist, Kendrick Meek and Marco Rubio will participate in a Sept. 17 debate on Univision.
The hourlong debate will begin at 1 p.m. and shown commercial free at 11 p.m. in Miami, Orlando, Tampa and Fort Myers/Naples as well as on Univision’s WQBA 1040 Miami and on www.Univision23.com.
It would seem modern political campaigns are more concerned about search engines than real engines, but Florida Governor Charlie Crist has taken a different tack this political season. Not only has the lifelong Republican switched to Independent last April in his bid to secure the open Florida U.S. Senate seat, but he has also taken his campaign message to the people via a variety of means.
Crist chose a V-8 high horsepower FASCAR Pro-Truck racing machine from many entries at New Smyrna Speedway in New Smyrna Beach, Florida earlier this year. The bright red No. 11 Ford race truck owned by Robert Strader of B&H Truck and RV Services, Inc. and driven by his son, FSU student Bobby Strader, now carries “Charlie Crist for U.S. Senate” decals on it when it roars to the green flag.
While Crist is busy spreading focused quotes like: “It’s about the people, not about the party,” he also takes time to relate to the many folks he encounters. It was that process that hooked him up with 23-year-old Strader at New Smyrna Speedway.
Track owner Robert Hart explained Crist’s visit to his speedway.
“He had been to our racetrack in New Smyrna,” Hart said. “He poured beer, drank beer, got in with the guys and really became one of the people. Not just for himself. He really enjoyed it.”
ST. PETERSBURG – Governor Charlie Crist, independent candidate for U.S. Senate, today accepted an invitation to debate his opponents at an event hosted by CNN and the St. Petersburg Times. The debate will be held on October 24, and will be moderated by CNN’s Candy Crowley.
“Florida deserves an independent Senator who will take the best ideas from both parties to create jobs, protect our environment, and rebuild our economy,” said Governor Crist. “I look forward to debating the choice facing the people of Florida: an independent Senator who will always fight for working families regardless of politics, or two partisan politicians who will always fight for the political parties that have brought the people’s work to a halt.”
KING: You never know. Thanks, Jessica, as always. Jessica Yellin, she’ll be here all night. Let’s go to St. Petersburg, Florida. Our old friend, Governor Charlie Crist, who was initially going to be in the Republican primary, is now running for the Senate as an Independent. Anything surprise you tonight so far, Charles?
CHARLES CRIST, GOV., FLORIDA: Not really. Not really, Larry. You know, it’s been pretty predictable, but this is going to be an interesting race and an unusual race in Florida this year. I mean, you know, having a Republican nominee, a Democratic nominee, and an Independent candidate in myself, I think, really offers the people of Florida a choice. And they deserve a choice.
And what that choice is, when it comes to Florida is, if you want somebody that’s on the hard right, you have a candidate now. If you want somebody on the hard left, you have a candidate.
But, if on the other hand, you want somebody who’s going to fight the gridlock in Washington, stand up for the people first instead of the party, do what’s right for Florida rather than what’s right for Washington, or right for just Republicans or Democrats, then you have an alternative. And that’s what we offer in this race. And I’m excited about it and I look forward to it.
KING: Very similar situation to yours, Joe Lieberman ran in the general election, won as an Independent in Connecticut. And he caucuses with the Democrats. You are not saying who you’ll caucus with.
CRIST: That’s right. Well, I think it’s important to maintain that independence. And frankly, what I say repeatedly is that I’ll caucus with the people of Florida. What I mean by that is, that I have to put the people first. It’s not about party for me. And that’s one of the clearest distinctions in this race already, as of tonight, as a matter of fact. My Republican opponent and my Democratic opponent have already made that choice. They’ve already made that decision.
When it comes to me, I want to do what’s right for the people of Florida first. I want to make sure that when I get to Washington, should I have that honor, that I have the opportunity to ask the hard questions. Who’s going to do more for job creation in the sunshine state? Who’s going to do more to make sure that we protect our environment? Who’s going to do more to invest in clean energy? Who’s going to do more to keep our taxes down? Those are the questions that I’m going to answer if I have the honor of serving my fellow Floridians in Washington. And they deserve those answers in order to have an effective senator for Florida.
KING: With half the votes in, are you surprised that Rick Scott is ahead of Bill McCollum?
CRIST: Well, it’s been a close race all along, Larry. And it doesn’t really surprise me that much. I mean, a lot of money’s been spent on this race. It’s been very competitive from the get-go. Both of the candidates really worked very, very hard. And now they go to challenge Alex Sink on the Democratic side for the general election in November. It’s going to be in interesting race to follow as well.
KING: Are you going to endorse either one?
CRIST: No, I’m not. No, I’ve got my own hands full. I’ve got plenty to do in this race for the U.S. Senate to try to get this Independent message out to the people of Florida.
And frankly, I think, it’s something that’s really important now more than ever. You know, people see the bickering all the time in Washington, the gridlock, the frustration with nothing really getting done. I think what Floridians want, frankly, I think what’s good for America, is to have somebody go there that will put the people first instead of the party, do what’s right, instead of what they think is politically correct for the parties.
KING: There’s nothing like Florida politics. I don’t believe — I lived there 20 years, I don’t believe an Independent has ever won anything statewide. When you go out on the hustings, who do you appeal to, because Republicans are entrenched, Democrats are entrenched. How do you know who the Independents are?
CRIST: I think the Independents are the people of Florida. I really do. You know, I’m not trying to appeal to just Republicans or just Democrats or just Independents. I’m the only one in this race, frankly, who’s honest enough to say, Republicans have some very good ideas, for example, about cutting the deficit and reducing our taxes. Democrats also have some very good ideas, about investing in clean energy and producing more jobs for people.
The most important issue that all of us are going to be facing. My opponents aren’t able to do that. Because, really, they are imprisoned by the parties, you know, expected to do certain things, because of the party that they have to really subscribe to before they care about the people. And that’s the real difference in this race. That’s what I think not only Florida wants, but America wants. Somebody to stand up to them first instead of being gridlocked. And the parties are truly gridlocked. We see it every day now in Washington. They can’t get anything done as a result of it.
KING: One other thing, Governor, who do you get your money from?
CRIST: The people, honestly. I mean, you know, when it comes to resources, when it comes to support, when it comes to votes, I have to appeal to the people of my state. I love Florida. I want to continue to serve the people in the United States Senate to make sure that they have an honest broker there, somebody who thinks about them first, doesn’t think about political parties and the party bosses drawing the line in the sand. And if you cross it, you’re almost a traitor. I’ve got to do what’s right for the people first. I think it’s refreshing.
KING: All right.
CRIST: And I know it’s what they want.
KING: One other thing, governor, how — it’s going to be hard to — I guess you never had this. How do you run against two people? How do you strategize Meek and Rubio, who couldn’t be further apart?
CRIST: Well, I don’t run against them. I run for the people of Florida. And I put forward a positive message about what I think is the right thing to do to rein in spending, to reduce our taxes, exactly like we’ve done here in Florida, to make sure that we’re innovative about trying to produce a better economy, a clean economy that produces new jobs, work with Democrats for that, work with Republicans to reduce taxes. You know, just the kinds of things that are common sense. That’s the thing that’s really missing in Washington today. Where’s the common sense?
KING: Will there be a three-way debate?
CRIST: Oh, I’m sure there will be, probably sponsored by you.
KING: I volunteer right now to come down there and moderate it. I’ve got a lot of experience moderating Florida politics. Say the word and we’ll be there.
CRIST: Accepted. All right. The word. Let’s go ahead and do it.
KING: Thanks.
CRIST: That would be a lot of fun.
KING: All right. One person has accepted. Now it’s up to Rubio and Meek. And we’ll be there.
ST. PETERSBURG – On the first day of the general election campaign, Florida Teamsters today endorsed Governor Charlie Crist’s independent campaign for the U.S. Senate.
The five Teamsters locals—Local 79 in Tampa, Local 173 in Bradenton, Local 385 in Orlando, Local 947 in Jacksonville and Local 991, in Mobile, Alabama, with Teamster members in the Panhandle—join a broad coalition of organized labor supporting Crist. The Crist campaign already enjoys the support of the Florida Education Association, the Florida Pipe Trades, Corrections USA, and the Florida Police Benevolent Association.
“I am honored by the support of the Teamsters, and working men and women across Florida who know we need independent leadership—not the same-old partisan politicians—in Washington to work across party lines to create jobs and rebuild our economy,” said Crist. “My number one priority in the United States Senate will be to create jobs for Florida’s working families, and I look forward to working with organized labor and businesses alike to accomplish just that.”
In their endorsement, the Teamsters cited Crist’s commitment and independent approach to creating jobs and rebuilding the economy, issues vital to working families.
“Charlie Crist is a good governor who cares more about people than party,” said Local 79 President Ken Wood. “He stood up for President Obama’s stimulus package when he thought it would help working families in Florida, even though he took a lot of flak from his own party for doing so. We need to elect politicians who listen to us, who represent us and who protect us, and that’s exactly what Charlie Crist has done for Florida’s working families.”
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women, in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.
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Charlie Crist, to the surprise of many and the consternation of some, just won’t go away.
…slowly, and with the affable and unassuming manner that has been his trademark since entering politics almost two decades ago, he has climbed back into contention for the seat being vacated by appointed Republican Sen. George LeMieux.
….
Few big-time donors and supporters abandoned him after his decision to leave the Republican Party. The governor had more than $8 million of campaign cash in the bank as of Aug. 4, compared with $4.5 million for Mr. Rubio.
….
The governor’s switch to independent status effectively rendered the Republican primary meaningless, meaning that Mr. Rubio – who began his campaign last year with a strongly conservative message – has had to begin courting moderates months earlier than expected in anticipation of the November general election, taking a bit of steam out of his campaign.
Mr. Rubio’s surprisingly quick rise to the top of the polls earlier this year also may have left him little room to win over new supporters.
….
“A lot of Democrats see a lot of difference between him and Rubio, so [Mr. Crist's resurgence in the polls] has been a combination of his own personal popularity and this concern by Democrats about what Rubio would look like” in the Senate, Mr. Crew said.
“Washington is broken. It’s a swamp of partisan bickering, finger-pointing, and destructive political games. We have huge problems in this country and in this state, but instead of working together to fix them, the gridlock is worse than ever. I am running for the United States as an independent to change that.
I will take the best ideas – whether they come from Democrats or Republicans – to get results for the people of Florida, because the only way to craft common sense solutions to our problems is to reach across party lines – to listen and work together. Now that the primaries are over, it is clear that I am the only candidate in this race who can do that, who has a track record of doing it, and if I win, will have the mandate from the people to do it.
Over the next two and a half months, I will take this message to every corner of our state: that we need independent leadership to create jobs, protect our environment, rebuild our economy, and keep America the strongest, freest nation in the world, not the same old partisan politicians who have brought the people’s work to a halt.”
On Tuesday, Florida was named one of the winners in the national Race to the Top education reform competition.
At stake: a portion of $4.35 billion in federal money earmarked for public schools.
Florida is hoping its share will be about $700 million.
….
Florida came in fourth place in the first round, but didn’t win any of the money. Top honors went to Tennessee and Delaware, which took home $500 million and $100 million, respectively.
Both states had proposals with performance pay programs that were backed by local teachers’ unions. Florida unions outrightly opposed their state’s bid for the prize money, saying their voices had not been heard.
Sensing a need for collaboration, Gov. Charlie Crist convened a group of school administrators, teachers, union leaders, members of the business community and parents to come up with a new proposal. Miami-Dade Superintendent Alberto Carvalho chaired the group.
Independent Florida Governor Charlie Crist continues to lead the race to become the next U.S. Senator from the Sunshine State. In the latest Quinnipiac Poll, Crist leads GOP hopeful Marco Rubio by seven to eight points.
In a hypothetical general election between Crist, Rubio and Democratic frontrunner Kendrick Meek; Crist leads Rubio 39 to 32 percent with Meek picking up 16 percent of the vote. If Meek’s Democratic opponent Jeff Greene is in the general election, Crist leads Rubio 40 to 32 percent with Greene picking up 15 percent of the vote.
Crist’s lead is directly tied to his popularity amongst independent and Democratic voters.
….
Among independents, Crist receives between 48 and 50 percent of the voters.
COCONUT CREEK — When introducing the Republican turned independent Gov. Charlie Crist to a left-leaning crowd Wednesday, Democratic state Rep. Ari Porth joked that he had brought Crist some rugelah so he could have a taste of Broward.
But Crist didn’t need the little traditional Jewish pastry to help him bond with the gray-haired Star-of-David-wearing crowd. He knew his audience, talking up Israel and vowing to protect Social Security.
Several hundred seniors who gathered at the Wynmoor condo complex theater in Coconut Creek Wednesday, and clapped repeatedly for Crist, sometimes giving him a standing ovation.
….
Many Democrats who said they plan to vote for Crist said they were turned off by the mudslinging of Meek and Greene.
“I can’t vote for either one of them,” said Ruth Weinstein, a retired bookeeper from New York. “I have been a registered Democrat all my life. I think this time I’m voting for Charlie Crist,” adding that she’d only consider voting for him now that he abandoned the Republican Party.
Selma Shubin, a retired credit manager, said she could relate to Crist’s independence. A lifelong Democrat, she now considers herself an independent voter.
“I am definitely voting for Gov. Crist for Senate. I think he has become more attuned to Floridians. … I vote for the person and what they stand for — not the party.”
….
Asked after his speech why he’d brought his campaign to a predominantly Democratic stronghold Crist said: “because every vote counts … It’s almost like why not come here? These are Floridians.”
COCONUT CREEK — Gov. Charlie Crist’s visit to a Democratic stronghold today was a reminder that Tuesday’s primary between Kendrick Meek and Jeff Greene won’t be the final word on where the Democratic vote goes in Florida’s U.S. Senate race.
Republican-turned-independent Crist was warmly received by a crowd of about 500 at the heavily Democratic Wynmoor retirement community.
“He was wonderful. He was so impressive,” gushed Gertrude Weinberg, the president of the Wynmoor Democratic Club.
….
Crist, introduced as “our courageous and independent governor” by Democratic state Rep. Ari Porth, talked up his recent vetoes of a teacher merit pay bill and an abortion ultrasound bill — both passed by the Republican legislature and opposed by Democrats.
According to a Bay News 9/St. Petersburg Times statewide exclusive poll, Crist holds a slight edge over his opponents in every possible scenario.
The telephone survey of 602 registered voters was conducted August 6-10 for the St. Petersburg Times, Miami Herald, Bay News 9 and Central Florida News 13.
The poll was done by Ipsos Public Affairs, a Washington, D.C.-based independent, nonpartisan research company.
The margin of error was plus or minus 4 percentage points overall, 6.4 percentage points for questions based only on Democrats and 5.9 for those based only on Republicans.
Political candidates crisscrossing their districts and states will be able to check in Wednesday morning for the first time on Gowalla, a location based social network that shares with followers a user’s location when they “check in” on a smart phone.
Independent Gov. Charlie Crist of Florida, Republican Gov. Rick Perry of Texas, and Arizona Republican congressional candidate Jim Ward are the first to sign up for a new set of tools Gowalla has designed specifically for the campaign trail.
“An interesting historical record emerges when candidates are actively checking in at town halls, campaign events or dinners to shake hands,” CEO and co-founder of Gowalla Josh Williams told CNN. “There is definitely an authenticity that comes with that.”
The new features will allow campaigns to create events on Gowalla that supporters can check in to and receive a campaign stamp with the candidate’s logo. Usually when a user checks into a location, they receive a generic stamp for their virtual passport.
Constituents or volunteers will then be able to tweet out or show on Facebook their location and encourage their followers to also participate in the event.
Supporters will also be able to use Gowalla to register their own campaign events at a local level, without the candidate’s participation. When people check in, they will receive a political stamp showing they are at a rally, town hall, or fundraiser. There is even a ballot box stamp ready for Election Day.
The new features are not just limited to campaigns. Advocacy groups will also be able to use Gowalla to highlight their causes.
What’s the end game for these new features? Williams says he sees these early campaigns as “a dry run for bigger things to come in 2012.”
BY BILL RUTTY AND JEREMY WALLACE
THE LAKELAND LEDGER
Gov. Charlie Crist’s decision to leave the Republican Party and run for the U.S. Senate as an independent appears to be paying off, a new Florida Poll shows.
…
Assuming Meek wins his primary and is in the race, Crist leads Rubio with 41 percent of the vote to Rubio’s 30 percent, with 12 percent going to Meek, according to the poll of 590 likely voters surveyed from July 24 to July 28. The poll has a margin of error of 4 percentage points.
The Florida Poll was conducted by New York Times-owned Florida newspapers, including The Ledger, and the University of South Florida Polytechnic in Lakeland.
…for voters like Sarah Cross of Sarasota, the move is being received more as an act of defiance to the political status quo. Cross, a Democrat, said Crist’s move showed political bravery at a time when most politicians just go along to get along. “…once he had done something like that to put his own future at risk, I thought he really is trying to do the right thing.”
Barbara Abowitt, a retired teacher who lives in Bradenton, had a similar view. She said Crist’s switch showed he was willing to stand up to his party, not just in leaving the Republicans but also in vetoing legislation such as Senate Bill 6, the teacher tenure bill.
“He was willing to buck his party,” said Abowitt, who calls herself an independent voter.
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist leads the three-way race for the U.S. Senate seat with 37 percent, followed by 32 percent for Republican Marco Rubio and 17 percent for Jeff Greene, the leading candidate for the Democratic nomination, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. If U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek wins the Democratic primary, Crist’s lead would be 39 percent to 33 percent for Rubio and 13 percent for Meek.
In the Senate race, Crist’s lead is based on getting half the independent voters, about 20 percent of Republicans and about 40 percent of Democrats. His 53 – 37 percent voter approval of his job as Governor probably is a factor in his lead.
Rep. Darryl Rouson, an African-American Democratic state lawmaker who has been a friend of the Crist family for two decades, acknowledged he has taken flak for publicly backing the governor’s candidacy. But he also stressed that many black voters will quietly pull the lever for Crist without ever admitting it.
“Frankly, the Democratic party can’t scream to high heavens, because so many Democrats across the spectrum are also supporting Crist. So they have to be careful who they crucify. His record is not so bad among black voters. He’s appointed black judges. He just appointed two black members to the Public Service Commission. He put teeth in the Civil Rights Act as attorney general,” said Rouson.
“They’re not going to vote for Rubio or for a billionaire who bet on the housing crash,” he continued.
Thanks mostly to support from Democrats Charlie Crist is the leader in the Florida Senate race. In the most likely match up against Kendrick Meek he gets 35% to 29% for Marco Rubio and 17% for Meek. His lead expands with Jeff Greene as the Democratic nominee. In that scenario Crist gets 38% with Rubio still at 29% and Greene at only 13%.
Crist has become the de facto Democratic nominee and that’s where most of his support is coming from. He’s currently getting 44% of Democrats in the Meek match up, along with 40% of independents and 23% of Republicans. Crist has increased his support across the board since PPP last polled this race in early March. At that time, while still a Republican, he got just 27% to 34% for Rubio and 25% for Meek. He’s now doing 12 points better with Democrats, 5 points better with independents, and somewhat surprisingly even 5 points better with Republicans.
“So many of the elected politicians in Washington seem to be shackled by the fear of a primary,” Mr. Crist said in an interview last week in this seaside city, where he attended a briefing on the effects of the Gulf oil spill. As an independent, Mr. Crist said, he is free to speak his mind without worrying about the most ideological voters.
“It’s liberating,” Mr. Crist said. “It’s a lot of fun, and I’m convinced it’s what the people want.”
Not long ago, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist seemed like a dead pol walking. Tea Party favorite Marco Rubio was thrashing him in the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate. Crist’s 30-point lead had swung to a 30-point deficit; funding was drying up, as were endorsements.
“He’s deader than the day before yesterday,” former state GOP chair Tom Slade told the St. Petersburg Times in late April. “I don’t think there’s any way in the world he can rehabilitate himself.” Crist’s collegial centrism, the conventional wisdom held, had become anachronistic at a time when angry right-wing populism had overtaken his party.
Yet here we are, less than three months later: Crist, now running as an independent, leads Rubio by almost 5 points, and he’s ahead of potential Democratic opponents by much more, according to a Real Clear Politics average of polls.
The stunning reversal raises a possibility with wider implications: “In this national environment of very polarized politics,” says Daniel Smith, a political-science professor at the University of Florida, “voters may be interested in more moderate candidates.”
Gov. Charlie Crist has $8.2 million in the bank for his independent Senate campaign, compared to $4.4 million for the leading Republican, Marco Rubio.
BY BETH REINHARD
MIAMI HERALD
Gov. Charlie Crist raised $1.8 million for his independent U.S. Senate campaign in the past three months, trailing Republican Marco Rubio but conserving millions of dollars more for the last few months of the campaign.
Rubio reported a monster-sized $4.5 million haul earlier this week — replacing Crist as Florida’s fundraising champ. Still, Crist’s latest donations were up from the $1.1 million he collected in the previous three months before he ditched the Republican Party.
“I couldn’t be more delighted. It’s uncharted territory,” said Crist, who leads the polls.
Florida Governor Charlie Crist holds a narrow edge over Republican Marco Rubio in a three-way Senate race dominated by economic worries, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Tuesday.
Crist, who left the Republican Party to run as an independent after Rubio mounted a primary challenge against him, leads Rubio 35 percent to 28 percent. Democrat Kendrick Meek trails with 17 percent less than four months before the November election for the open Senate seat.
Crist holds a similar 34 to 29 percent edge over Rubio in a three-way race against Democrat Jeff Greene, who is locked in a tough party primary fight with Meek. The Florida primary will be held August 24.
