Florida’s Ex-Republican Gov. Crist officially changes party registration to ‘none’

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Calling it a “no-brainer,” Florida Gov. Charlie Crist stopped into the elections office in St. Petersburg on Wednesday to officially declare his political independence.

Greeted by a gaggle of reporters and TV cameras, Crist signed documents changing his status on the voter rolls from “Republican” to “none.” It reflects his decision to run for the U.S. Senate as an independent after polls showed him far behind Marco Rubio in the race for the GOP nomination.

“It’s very liberating,” the always ebullient governor said afterward. “For me it was a no-brainer. It was just the right thing to do.”

Rubio overtook Crist with a conservative message and by questioning the governor’s commitment to Republican principles.

Crist now must wage war on two fronts, against Rubio and likely Democratic nominee Kendrick Meek. And he will have a new campaign staff and former allies doing all they can to stop him.

The Republican establishment has cut ties, even selling a commissioned oil painting of the governor for $7,700 on eBay. State party spokeswoman Katie Betta said Wednesday the buyer was a registered Florida Republican who wanted to remain anonymous. (Crist said it wasn’t him.)

-- Associated Press