With Meek Coming Behind Him, Crist Unveils Latest Dem Backer in Wexler

With polls showing him fading behind Republican candidate Marco Rubio in the U.S. Senate race and hearing the footsteps of Democratic nominee U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek coming behind him, Gov. Charlie Crist, who is running without party affiliation in the race, announced on Sunday that former U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler, a Democrat, was backing his bid.

Charlie Crist has repeatedly demonstrated the integrity and independence Washington needs right now to help Floridas working families through these tough times, said Wexler on Sunday, who resigned his seat in Congress to become president of the S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace. As hes always done, Governor Crist will work with both Democrats and Republicans to create jobs, to ensure Israel remains our closest friend and ally, and to keep the promise of Social Security to our seniors as we know it today. For those reasons, I am proud to endorse Charlie Crist for the United States Senate.

Robert Wexler is a leader of great conviction who has always delivered results for the people he represents because of his willingness to work across party lines to do whats right, said Crist. I intend to bring that same spirit of cooperation to the United States Senate so that we can break through the partisanship in Washington to create jobs and rebuild our economy. I am humbled by Robert Wexlers support in that effort.

The Meek campaign fired back on Sunday afternoon, downplaying the significance of the endorsement.

"This endorsement has nothing to do with positions, principles, or public service, the Meek team said in a statement. When Charlie Crist was inaugurated as Florida's Republican governor, Robert Wexler was there. When Charlie Crist took his first overseas trips as Florida's Republican governor, Robert Wexler was there. When Charlie Crist got married in St. Petersburg, Robert Wexler was there. And when Charlie Crist appointed his conservative campaign manager George LeMieux to the United States Senate, Robert Wexler was there speaking out in favor of his selection.

"Today's announcement is neither new nor news, continued the statement. Any impact of this endorsement has occurred already. Robert Wexler's former chief of staff has been running Crist's campaign for months now, and this endorsement was only a matter of time.

"Charlie Crist trotting out this endorsement today won't change anything and yesterday's Mason-Dixon poll has already shown that Charlie Crist's bid for U.S. Senate is in a downward spiral and on its last leg, continued the Meek campaign. Crist is bleeding Democrats and independent voters to Kendrick Meek and no endorsement announced in a desperate attempt to save his skin will change that fact. Democrats are done being duped by Charlie Crist."