FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Gov. Charlie Crist came to South Florida Monday evening to speak to the party faithful in Broward County.

The latest polls in the race between Crist and Marco Rubio for a U.S. Senate seat show the race will be much closer than expected. But, when Local 10’s Julie Summers asked Crist to comment about the tightening race, he declined to respond directly.

Crist spent most of the evening at the Cypress Creek Sheraton touting his record on several issues, saying the cost of health care in Florida has been lowered and that the budget is balanced.

"What we need to do is, we need to take this Florida way to Washington. I know how to do it because I have done it," Crist said. "You need to compare the records of the candidates that are asking for your vote."

But Crist was careful never to mention the other main Republican candidate, Rubio.

But Rubio, as a conservative, is clearly gaining ground in recent polls.

"How much of a challenge will Mr. Rubio pose for your campaign?" Summers asked Crist.

"Oh, I don’t know. I’m looking forward to meeting all these great people here tonight," Crist said.

"Is Rubio a worthy opponent?" Summers asked.

"All opponents are worthy," Crist said.

Crist told Republicans the best way to summarize his vision is that he wants to bring "common sense" to Washington, D.C. He said all Floridians and all Americans deserve that.