He'll drop out of the Republican primary and jump into the race as an independent.

Chris Cillizza at the Washinton Post reports Crist paid for polls earlier this week that showed running as an indy could win him a Senate seat.

His campaign has also pulled primary-focused TV ads in markets around the state, fueling speculation that his days as a Republican candidate are finished.

Crist trails Republican primary foe Marco Rubio by more than 20 points in the most recent polls.