Via NRO, the AP reports:
A state lawmaker says Gov. Charlie Crist is picking his former chief of staff George LeMieux (leh-'MEW) to replace Republican Sen. Mel Martinez, who is resigning. State Rep. Jennifer Carroll, who was considered for the position, said Crist told her he is choosing LeMieux. Crist planned to make the announcement later Friday. By choosing LeMieux, Crist picked the candidate he trusts most to fill out the term that expires in January 2011. Crist is running for the seat in next year's election. LeMieux ran Crist's 2006 campaign for governor. Crist then picked LeMieux as chief of staff. He left for a Tallahassee law firm in December 2007.
I don't really know what to make of this transparently self-serving move by Crist. He always appeared to be a much smarter politician than this. Good news for Marco Rubio.