Crist says he will remain in Senate race

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (R) said Tuesday he will remain in the state's highly contested Senate race -- but didn't say if he would stay in as a Republican.

In an interview with the conservative National Review Online, Crist said "damn right, I’m staying in this race."

But he didn't say if he would stay in the Republican primary or make an independent bid.

There has been speculation that Crist, who has fallen far behind in the polls to former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio (R) in the primary, would drop out or seek the office as an independent. 

The governor told NRO that he is “still undecided” about whether or not to seek an independent bid but said he will not run as a Democrat.

Crist's announcement that's remaining a Senate candidate comes one day after a National Republican Senatorial Committee memo leaked that said there is "zero chance" that Crist stays in the GOP primary.

Crist has until April 30, Florida's filing deadline, to decide whether or not he wants to run as an independent.

The race has received much national attention because of Rubio's rapid rise as an insurgent candidate, knocking Crist off as the establishment favorite to win the seat.

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