Gov Charlie Crist, who has the unique distinction of being the state’s first bachelor governor in 40 years, made the decision on the eve of 4th of July celebrations to announce he is about to give up his.

Crist proposed to Carole Rome, a 38 year old woman who he met in New York City last September, at his St. Petersburg apartment, and the lady said, “Yes.”  The governor, 51, gave his fiancé a blue sapphire engagement ring surrounded by diamonds.

The possible running mate for Republican Presidential Nominee, John McCain, Crist, said he is very happy at his engagement. “What a great way to celebrate America's birthday,” he said.  He said he and his new fiancé had been talking about marriage for quite a while and that while they were looking out over Tampa Bay he proposed, and “I couldn't think of a better place to do it."

Rome, 38, is president of Franco American Novelty Co., her family's New York-area Halloween costume company.

Crist, whose previous marriage ended in less than a year, said the experience made him hesitant to tie the knot again, but that he been blessed to have found “such a wonderful woman, and it sure is great to find the right one.”

Though no date has been officially announced, the couple are thinking of a fall ceremony.