And the Tractor He Rode In On ... Randy Hatch Bows Out, Backs Scott Maddox

Between the filing appearances of GOP gubernatorial candidates Rick Scott and Bill McCollum, former Tallahassee Mayor Scott Maddox filed his paperwork to run for commissioner of agriculture and consumer services, with one of his rivals for the Democratic nomination, former Suwannee County Commissioner Randy Hatch, at his side.

Hatch, who had logged more than 1,800 miles campaigning across Florida in his tractor, announced he was pulling out of the race and backing Maddox against Republican candidate U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam.

Hatch said he and Maddox both opposed offshore drilling, unlike Putnam.

If Adam Putnam and the Republican leadership had its way, wed have offshore drilling here in Florida, said Maddox.

Im proud to endorse Scott Maddox and his campaign, said Hatch. He has not sold his soul to the devil.

Maddox is now facing a clearer path to the Democratic nomination with Hatch out and Thad Hamilton --who serves on the Broward Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors -- jumping over to run as an independent. Former Rep. Rick Minton is now the only Democrat still in the race against Maddox.