WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, D-Fla., is resigning from Congress to focus on his campaign to become Florida's governor again.
Crist told the Tampa Bay Times that his resignation is effective at the end of the day Wednesday.
He said serving in Congress has been "an honor and a privilege."
Florida's 13th congressional district serves Pinellas County, including Clearwater and St. Petersburg.
He was first elected to the seat in 2016 and twice won reelection.
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"Charlie Crist treats taxpayer-funded jobs like a game of musical chairs," Republican National Committee Florida spokeswoman Julia Friedland said in a statement. "Floridians can't wait to cut the music on his career for good in November."
Crist defeated Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried to win the Democratic nomination in the gubernatorial election. He previously served as Florida's governor from 2007-11, when he was a Republican.
He'll face incumbent Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis in November.
Republican nominee Anna Paulina Luna will face Democratic nominee Eric Lynn in the Nov. 8 general election to fill Crist's seat.
