Florida: Gov. Crist to Decide on Senate Bid in May
In a move that could freeze the Republican Senate field for several months, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (R) said Tuesday that he will wait until after the states legislative session ends in May to decide whether to join the race to replace retiring Sen. Mel Martinez (R).
Crist would automatically clear the Republican field if he decided to get in the race, especially after the former Gov. Jeb Bush (R) declined to run. But GOP insiders are also talking up former state Speaker Marco Rubio, who continues to contemplate a bid.
Other GOP possibilities include Reps. Connie Mack IV and Vern Buchanan, who is very seriously looking at running for Senate or for governor if Crist enters the Senate race.
Two Democrats, Rep. Kendrick Meek and state Sen. Dan Gelber, have already announced their intentions to run for the Senate seat.