Obama endorses Crist in Florida House race

President Obama on Monday endorsed former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (D), who is running in a competitive race for Congress.

{mosads}“Governor Charlie Crist has always put people above politics — and we need more of that in Washington,” Obama said in a statement released by the Crist campaign.

Obama praised Crist’s efforts to revive the Florida economy after the 2008 recession and commended him for battling climate change and fighting for voting rights.

“I know he’ll bring the people’s voice to Congress, and I’ve got his back,” the president said.

Crist said he is “humbled and honored” by Obama’s endorsement, calling the president a “great friend.”

The president’s endorsement comes days after Rep. David Jolly (R) ended his campaign for Senate and announced he would seek reelection to his current House seat, setting up a showdown against Crist.

Jolly shifted direction amid speculation that Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) will run for reelection. Rubio had said he would not run again to instead focus on his presidential bid, which ended in defeat earlier this year.

Crist left the GOP in 2011 after losing the Senate primary election to Rubio. He became a Democrat the next year and endorsed Obama’s reelection bid.