Charlie Crist, the Republican governor of Florida since 2006, is facing an unexpectedly rocky road in his campaign for the United States Senate seat vacated by Senator Mel Martinez. On April 28, 2010, Mr. Crist announced he is leaving the Republican Party and running independently for the seat, setting up an unprecedented three-way contest without a clear front-runner.

"My decision to run for the U.S. Senate as a candidate without party affiliation says more about our nation and our state than it says about me," Mr. Crist said. "Unfortunately our political system is broken."

Mr. Crist, a moderate who has enjoyed popularity with many Democrats, had faced a primary challenger and increasingly angry opposition from conservative Republicans..

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