Al Cardenas, a former state GOP chairman and Crist backer, also said he wouldn’t back the governor as an independent but went even further, suggesting that Crist should consider dropping out of the race.
“The most dignified posture from my perspective is to acknowledge the primary is not going to happen and keep his options open for the future. At this point, that’s what’s best for him,” said Cardenas, who is close to former Gov. Jeb Bush—Rubio’s mentor. “I imagine it’s a great struggle for him. If you give a recent unbiased analysis of the race, barring anything unforeseen, it’s hard to figure out a game plan where the governor would win the primary.”
Other top Crist donors are torn between their longstanding loyalty to the party and their friendship with the governor.
“I’m in kind of an awkward spot,” explained Al Austin, one of country’s top GOP donors and a Tampa developer who attended Crist’s 2008 wedding.
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