Former Republican Florida Gov. Charlie Crist on Sunday endorsed President Obama, calling him the "right leader for our times."

"I applaud and share his vision of a future built by a strong and confident middle class in an economy that gives us the opportunity to reap prosperity through hard work and personal responsibility," said Crist, in an op-ed published in the Tampa Bay Times.

"Many have already forgotten how deep and daunting our shared crisis was in the winter of 2009, as President Obama was inaugurated," he added. "It was no ordinary challenge, and the president served as the nation's calm through a historically turbulent storm."