GOP urges Crist to drop out of Senate race

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., April 20 (UPI) -- Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, facing a bruising Republican primary to be the GOP U.S. Senate candidate, is being encouraged by party leaders to drop out.

Besides having a tough row to hoe if he runs as a Republican, Crist faces possible party rejection if he runs as an independent against Republican rival Marco Rubio, The Miami Herald reported Tuesday.

"We believe there is zero chance Gov. Crist continues running in the Republican primary," Rob Jesmer, National Republican Senate Committee executive director, said in a memo. "It is our view that if Governor Crist believes he cannot win a primary, then the proper course of action is he drop out of the race and wait for another day."

Crist confirmed Monday he was considering mounting a Senate bid as an independent and has until April 30 to decide.

"I'm getting all kinds of advice," Crist told the Herald Monday. "I take my cues from people in Florida."

During a campaign swing for Rubio in Tampa, former presidential candidate Mitt Romney said he expected Crist would "do the right thing."

"I hope that he stays in the Republican primary or, if he decides he doesn't think he can win that, that he steps aside and gets behind Marco Rubio," Romney said.

The former Massachusetts governor is the third former presidential candidate to throw his support behind Rubio, following former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.

The party's 2008 presidential nominee, Sen. John McCain of Arizona, said he wouldn't support Crist if he runs as an independent, The Hill reported.

"I support Republicans," McCain said.

Some polls indicate Rubio has a significant lead over Crist while other polls show Crist with a slight lead over Rubio and slight advantage over likely Democratic nominee U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek.