Former Republican Charlie Crist to support Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson in Florida

— -- It seems Charlie Crist has shed any last vestiges of his former Republican party affiliation.

The former Florida governor is planning to back Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson this year, the Associated Press reported Wednesday.

"Crist said Wednesday that he will attend an upcoming fundraiser for the Democratic incumbent that will be held at the home of trial lawyer John Morgan," reports Brendan Farrington, who added that Bill Clinton is also scheduled to attend. Crist is currently employed by Morgan's law firm Morgan & Morgan.

Crist was elected as a Republican governor in 2006 and chose to run for U.S. Senate instead of for re-election in 2010. After polls showed him significantly trailing Marco Rubio in the Republican primary, Crist in May of 2010 changed his affiliation to "non party affiliated" and focused on the general election. Crist lost to Rubio in November and has since remained out of politics.

Rep. Connie Mack is widely regarded as the Republican frontrunner in the race to take on Nelson following decisions by former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux and other candidates to drop out of the Republican contest. Former Rep. Dave Weldon has continued campaigning against Mack.