The Hill News

Former Democratic Rep. Robert Wexler (Fla.) on Saturday endorsed Independent Party candidate Charlie Crist in Florida's three-way contest for the Senate. 

The office of Rep. Kendrick Meek (Fla.), the Democrat vying for the seat, was quick to downplay the news, with spokesman Adam Sharon telling the Orlando Sentinel that Wexler's decision was a “friendship endorsement, not a political endorsement.”

Wexler, who left Congress at the start of the year to head the Washington-based S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace, is a popular figure throughout the state. Still, the impact of his endorsement remains unclear. 

Marv! in Manning, head of the Century Village Democratic club, told the South Florida Sun Sentinel that Wexler's popularity with the group won't necessarily shift votes toward Crist.  

“I do know they have a tremendous amount of affection for [Wexler]," Manning said. "They want to see him, obviously. I’m not sure that that emotion will translate into supporting Crist."

Wexler and Crist are making a campaign stop at the Century Village club Sunday. 

A poll released Saturday indicates it might not matter! . The survey indicated that 40 percent of state voters back Re! publican Marco Rubio, the Tea Party candidate, while 28 percent favor Crist. Meek comes in third, the poll indicates, with 23 percent of likely voters indicating their support.