Messina will not be involved in the day-to-day aspects of the Crist campaign. He joins another Obama alum, ad maker Jim Margolis, in the effort to aid Crist.

Crist’s campaign saw some turbulence late last year.

In November, Crist’s campaign manager, Bill Hyers, split with the team shortly after it was announced he would join. Hyers had been highly sought after steering Bill de Blasio’s successful run for New York City mayor.