Rep. Jennifer Carroll Reportedly is Rick Scott's Choice for Lt. Gov.

As speculation builds over Rick Scott's choice for running mate, Florida newspaper blogs are warming to Rep. Jennifer Carroll's chances.

Scott is scheduled to announce his choice for lieutenant governor Thursday, and his campaign would not confirm the speculation about Carroll. Carroll's office had no comment this afternoon.

Nor was there confirmation of reports that former Lt. Gov. Toni Jennings had turned down the job.

Several Republicans were quoted today saying Carroll had the inside track. A term-limited state representative from Jacksonville, she was praised for being a good fit, geographically and politically.

Reached by Sunshine State News, Rick Wilson, a veteran GOP consultant who supported Bill McCollum in the gubernatorial primary, said Carroll would be "an interesting choice for Scott."

Wilson said he likes that Carroll is a veteran (she served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years, rising to the rank of lieutenant commander).

"She's a conservative, which is another bonus," Wilson said.

The first female Republican African-American elected to the Florida House, Carroll would geographically balance the GOP ticket; she resides in northeast Florida while Scott lives in the southwest part of the state.

She reportedly was on Charlie Crist's short list for Mel Martinez's U.S. Senate seat before the governor picked his longtime confidant, George LeMieux.

Carroll, who celebrated her 51st birthday Friday, was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad, West Indies. She moved to Florida in 1986.

Serving in the House since 2003, Carroll was majority whip 2004-2006 and chaired the House Economic Development Policy Committee last session.

She is married to Nolan Carroll and has three children.