ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (December 8, 2012)--Former Republican Florida Gov. Charlie Crist has announced on Twitter that he's joining the Democratic Party.

Crist sent a Tweet Friday night that said, "Proud and honored to join the Democratic Party in the home of President @Barack Obama!"

The Tweet included a photo of a smiling Crist holding up a Florida voter registration application.

The Tampa Bay Times reported that the former Republican governor signed the papers changing his affiliation from independent to Democrat at a Christmas reception at The White House.

Crist was elected Florida governor while a Republican, but left the party and ran as an independent for the U.S. Senate, losing a three-way contest to Republican Marco Rubio.

Crist is viewed as potential Democratic candidate against Republican Gov. Rick Scott.