Conservative icon Phyllis Schlafly and the Eagle Forum PAC have endorsed Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott, in the hope that he can "keep this state prosperous."
Rick Scott was instrumental in informing and mobilizing the grass-roots in the battle against Obamacare, said Schlafly Thursday. Hes a proven conservative and a proven success as an executive.
Schlafly went out of her way to praise Rep. Jennifer Carroll of Jacksonville, whom Scott named as his running mate.
Both are principled leaders and effective problem-solvers Floridians need to protect this great state and keep it prosperous, said Schlafly.
A supporter of Sen. Barry Goldwaters presidential campaign in 1964, which changed the Republican Party dramatically, Schlafly continued to be prominent during the 1970s when the Eagle Forum fought against the proposed Equal Rights Amendment.
Schlafly and the Eagle Forum have been active in backing candidates throughout Florida during the 2010 campaign cycle -- but with mixed success.
While the Eagle Forum backed former House Speaker Marco Rubio for the U.S. Senate and Rep. Sandy Adams of Oviedo in the Republican primary to take on Democratic U.S. Rep. Suzanne Kosmas, the group also lined up behind candidates who went down to defeat in the Republican primaries.
Schlafly endorsed Attorney General Bill McCollum over Scott in early August during a bitter primary contest.
The upcoming Republican primary on Aug. 24 will be a crucial decision for Republican voters in Florida as to whether their state will be returned to proven, sound conservative policies and principles, said Schlafly in early August. Bill McCollum can point to a distinguished record of conservative votes and services. He has demonstrated leadership on a variety of issues important to conservative voters.
Besides McCollum, who has not endorsed Scott over Democratic candidate Alex Sink, Schlafly also backed Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp who lost in the Republican attorney general primary to Pam Bondi. The forum also backed Rep. Kurt Kelly of Ocala to take on Democratic U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson. Kelly lost out in the Republican primary to former House Speaker Daniel Webster. The Eagle Forum is now behind Webster. The group is also backing Allen West, the Republican candidate taking on Democratic U.S. Rep. Ron Klein.
The Eagle Forum has more than 80,000 members across the nation and has a state chapter in Florida broken into districts.
We urge all of our members to vote for Rick Scott and Jennifer Carroll on Nov. 2, said Schlafly.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859
