Ex-Fla. Gov. Crist tweets he's joining Democrats

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- Former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist has announced on Twitter that he's joining the Democratic Party.

Crist sent out a Tweet on Friday night that said, "Proud and honored to join the Democratic Party in the home of President (at)Barack Obama!"

The Tweet included a photo of a smiling Crist holding up a Florida voter registration application. The Tampa Bay Times reports that the former Republican governor signed the papers changing his affiliation from independent to Democrat at a Christmas reception at The White House.

A message left for Crist wasn't immediately returned Friday night.

Crist was elected Florida governor while in the GOP. He left the party and ran as an independent for the U.S. Senate, losing a three-way contest to Republican Marco Rubio. Crist is viewed as potential Democratic candidate against Republican Gov. Rick Scott.