ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) - Former Governor Charlie Crist is back on the campaign trail, this time seeking election to Congress.
Crist, a Republican-turned-independent-turned-Democrat, is a former governor, former state attorney general and was on the short list to be Sen. John McCain's vice presidential running mate in 2008.
Democrats are counting on Crist and other candidates to make significant inroads into the Republicans' commanding House majority. Florida offers at least three potential Democratic gains as the party tries to cobble together a 30-seat pickup.
Crist faces Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. David Jolly. The race may be one of the few nationally in which the Republican candidate is using Donald Trump against the Democrat, noting that Trump helped Crist raise money when he was with the GOP.
