GALLAGHER REMAINS IN, CALLS CRIST "TOO MODERATE", LOSES TWO CAMPAIGN STAFFERS

Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Gallagher announced Thursday in Orlando that he would remain in the race against primary opponent Attorney General Charlie Crist, calling himself the conservative heir to Governor Jeb Bush and calling the last 25 days of the primary race "a battle for the soul of the Republican party".

Florida's Chief Financial Officer has been lagging both in polls and fundraising, and a newspaper report earlier in the week stated that Gallagher was being encouraged by some close to him to withdraw so that the GOP can unify behind Crist. But during a press conference attended by 30 legislators and supporters, saying that "Charlie Crist wants to take our party in a new direction, away from the conservative course that has been set by Jeb Bush...I want our party to remain conservative in every sense of the word."

Gallagher's campaign also saw two high-ranking members depart his team. Finance Director David Browning and strategist David Johnson left on amicable terms, according to campaign spokesman Albert Martinez.