Former Crist aide to run McCain in FL

Arlene DiBenigno, who served as Gov. Charlie Crist's deputy chief of staff and political director of his 2006 campaign, will head up John McCain's presidential campaign in Florida starting May 15.

The relationship between Crist and McCain makes her a natural for the job. DiBenigno left the governor's office last year to lead the campaign for the property tax referendum spearheaded by Crist. She's also worked for former Gov. Jeb Bush.

DiBenigno will join the McCain campaign's sole staffer currently in Florida, Buzz Jacobs, a regional director based in Tallahassee.