Rick Scott Focuses on Job Creation in Second Inaugural Address

Gov. Rick Scott, R-Fla., was sworn in for a second term and called for an increased commitment to job creation and fiscal conservatism on Tuesday.

Following the state constitutional revisions of 1968, Scott is only the fifth governor in Florida history to serve a second consecutive term, joining former Govs. Reubin Askew, Bob Graham, Lawton Chiles and Jeb Bush. Scott defeated former Gov. Charlie Crist in November.

Having focused on job creation during his two gubernatorial campaigns and in his first term, Scotts inauguration featured everyday Floridians talking about their experiences getting new jobs in recent years.

Joined by fellow Republicans Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, Attorney General Pam Bondi, state CFO Jeff Atwater and Agricultural Commissioner Adam Putnam, Scott took the oath of office shortly after noon on a sunny but brisk Tallahassee day. They were joined by two former governors -- Democrat Wayne Mixson and Republican Bob Martinez -- and two current leaders of other states considering running for president in 2016: Gov. Chris Christie, R-N.J., and Gov. Rick Perry, R-Texas. Former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux, R-Fla., leaders from the Florida Legislature, state Supreme Court justices and various state commissioners and members of the Scott administration were also at the dias.

The campaign is over, Scott said in his inaugural address. Now we turn to governing.

Scott promised to fight for all Floridians and called for coming together on a number of issues for the benefit of each and every Floridian. As he had in his two gubernatorial campaigns, Scott focused on job creation.

Every one of the 700,000 jobs represents a family ... one job doesnt help a person, it transforms a family, Scott insisted.

I ran for governor to change lives, to make it better for other people, Scott added. If you want to change a life, the most important thing you can do is get someone a job.

Jobs have been my focus for the last four years, Scott said. Jobs will be by mission for the next four years.