Crist Rejects Senate Run as an Independent

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist has shot down a rumor that he'll bow out of the Republican primary battle for the U.S. Senate and run instead as an independent, reports CNN.com.

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel newspaper initially made the claim in an online column Thursday, leading to speculation that Crist wanted to avoid a bruising fight with Marco Rubio, the former Florida House speaker.

But Crist responded with a blunt "It's not going to happen," according to the St. Petersburg Times.

Read the full CNN.com story: "Crist: Independent Run 'Not Going to Happen'"