Letter from U.S. Sen. John Cornyn to Charlie Crist, former darling of national Republicans like Cornyn.

You claim
that your political decisions are based on “listening to the people.” Hopefully,
you will do so in this case and return the contributions that you received from
the NRSC, members of the Republican Senate leadership, and the thousands of
contributors in Florida and nationwide who backed your candidacy under the false
pretense that you were a principled Republican.

Regardless of
your decision, I can assure you that we will work tirelessly to elect Marco
Rubio to the U.S. Senate this November. (full letter below)

Dear Governor Crist,
 
I was disappointed by several reports today noting that you have refused to return the contributions made to your U.S. Senate campaign while you were a Republican.
 
This reversal stands in stark contrast to your previous statements that you would provide donors with “pro-rated refunds” upon your announcement that you were leaving the Republican Party. Breaking this promise demonstrates an enormous lack of character, as Floridians are reminded that they simply cannot trust what you say.
 
In addition to individual Floridians, the Republican Senate leadership and a number of Florida Republican state leaders have publicly requested that you return their contributions. These are reasonable requests considering you fled the Republican Party in a misguided effort to preserve your own political future.
 
It is notable that other politicians who have switched parties have recognized their obligation to former supporters and refunded their contributions. For example, former Republican Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA) offered to return any donations made to his re-election bid after he became a Democrat last year.
 
You claim that your political decisions are based on “listening to the people.” Hopefully, you will do so in this case and return the contributions that you received from the NRSC, members of the Republican Senate leadership, and the thousands of contributors in Florida and nationwide who backed your candidacy under the false pretense that you were a principled Republican.
 
Regardless of your decision, I can assure you that we will work tirelessly to elect Marco Rubio to the U.S. Senate this November.
 
Sincerely,
 
U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX)
Chairman
National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC)