He’s back: Charlie Crist declares run for Congress

ST. PETERSBURG — Former Republican Gov. Charlie Crist will once again try to revive his political career as a Democrat, with an announcement Tuesday that he will run for Congress after losing his last two statewide elections.

“We have a problem in Washington, there’s no question about it. Washington does not listen to the people. Unfortunately, Washington bickers with itself,” Crist told about 40 supporters who gathered in Crist’s hometown of St. Petersburg.

Crist was once considered a rising star in the Republican Party. He served as Florida governor from 2007 until 2011 and was mentioned as a possible vice-presidential pick in 2008.

But his career came to a halt when he decided to run for U.S. Senate instead of a second term as governor. He began the campaign as the favorite. But Marco Rubio used images of Crist hugging President Barack Obama, and Crist’s Republican support dwindled.

He dropped out of the primary and ran as an independent but lost to Rubio, who’s now running for president.

Crist mentioned that experience during his announcement.

“I listened to the people when I stood with President Obama to help our economy get back on track. I wasn’t popular with my former party, but just because I listened, it was the right thing to do,” Crist said.

Crist eventually registered as a Democrat and last year ran against Gov. Rick Scott, losing a close race.

Crist hopes new congressional districts ordered by the Florida Supreme Court will give him a good chance to win.

The map awaiting the court’s approval puts all of Pinellas County in the same district, making it more enticing for Crist.

The seat is now held by Republican Rep. David Jolly, who is running for Rubio’s seat.

Crist will have opposition in the Democratic primary from Eric Lynn, a former Obama administration official.