Charlie Crist opens political action committee

First-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist opened a political action committee Monday that he can use for his own re-election and help other candidates.

The former Florida governor is listed as the chair of Charlie Crist PAC, with Peggy Gagnon serving as custodian of records and Joseph Saunders taking the treasurer job.

The FEC filing reads that the “committee supports/opposes more than one Federal candidate and is NOT a separate segregated fund or a party committee.”

“In addition, this committee is a Leadership PAC,” the filing concludes.

Saunders is hosting a fundraiser for Crist at his and his wife Kathy’s home in St. Petersburg on March 26. The event is from 4:30 -6 p.m. at 4916 62nd Ave S.

Crist beat former Republican Rep. David Jolly in the race for Florida’s 13^th Congressional district, which covers southern Pinellas County, last year.

Since his swearing-in January 3, Crist has been regularly fundraising for his 2018 re-election bid.