FLORIDA — As the governor's race in Florida enters the final stretch ahead of the November midterm elections, Democratic candidate Rep. Charlie Crist announced Wednesday that he will be stepping down from his congressional seat at the end of the day.

“I’m going to work hard, get all over the state and win this thing. That’s the plan,” Crist said. “I’ve loved representing my home town and my home county. They’re wonderful people and I look forward to the race ahead and representing them in the governor’s office.”

Crist, who will face incumbent Gov. Ron DeSantis in November, won a hard-fought primary against Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried to gain the Democratic nomination earlier this month. 

Last week, he named United Teachers of Dade President Karla Hernandez as his pick for lieutenant governor. 

Crist said he spoke with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi before making the decision to resign. 

“She said, ‘I understand, but it looks like we’re in good shape, so you need to do what you need to do and you need to win this election. It’s very important and you don’t have a lot of time,’” Crist said.

In a statement from his office in Washington, Crist thanked his constituents for electing him to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2016.

"Serving as the Representative of Florida's 13th Congressional District has been an honor and a privilege," he said. "When I first took office nearly six years ago, I vowed to defend our Veterans, bring jobs to Florida, fight climate change, and put people over politics.

"As I close my time in Congress, I could not be prouder of the work we've done to uphold those promises — passing legislation to support our veterans, expanding solar energy in the Sunshine State, securing millions in direct funding for community projects, and returning over $6 million in earned benefits to the people of Pinellas."

“But these achievements start and end with you, the people – my bosses – who have guided my work in Congress since Day One," he continued. "From the bottom of my heart, thank you for trusting me as your Representative in Washington. And God Bless the great people of Florida’s 13th Congressional District.”

While his resignation from Congress will go into effect at the end of the business day Wednesday, officials in Crist's office said he will continue to provide "casework and constituent services until representatives for the newly redistricted 13th and 14th congressional districts of Florida are sworn-in in January."

Crist, 66, is running for governor for the third time — then a Republican, he served as Florida's governor from 2007 to 2011, but lost as a Democrat to Rick Scott in 2014.

In a pitch to voters, Crist said, “The choice is crystal clear here. If you want a women’s right to choose to be protected, you vote for Charlie Crist; if you want to make sure your vote counts, particularly for African-Americans, you vote for Charlie Crist; if you want the education system to get the support it deserves, you vote for Charlie Crist."

DeSantis also stepped down from Congress early after winning the Republican nomination in 2018.