Florida Gov. Charlie Crist reportedly is set to declare that he is an independent candidate for the U.S. Senate, according to a report by News-Press.com.

Crist is expected to file as an independent next week — bypassing the Aug. 24 Republican primary.

As an independent, Crist can remain a member of the Republican Party but he goes on the November general election ballot, without a primary.

Top GOP leaders have been advising Crist to drop out of the race because he trails Rubio by double digits in many recent polls. Meanwhile, an impressive cadre of Republican leaders has endorsed the former House speaker.

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