Demanding a debate, former Florida Senate Democratic Leader Nan Rich is turning up the heat on former Gov. Charlie Crist as they continue to battle for their partys nomination to challenge Gov. Rick Scott in November.

Miami Dade School Board Member Carlos Curbelo, running for the Republican nomination to challenge U.S. Rep. Joe Garcia, D-Fla., announced on Wednesday that he had raised more than $310,000 in the first quarter of the year, bringing his total to more than $950,000 in the campaign so far. Garcia had brought in more than $460,000 in the first quarter and more than $2.2 million in the campaign. Curbelo's team said their candidate had around $800,000 on hand.

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., weighed in on Tax Day for the need for reforming the IRS.

The Eagle Forum, a conservative group led by Phyllis Schlafly, announced on Tuesday it was backing businessman Curt Clawson for the Republican nomination in the special election to replace former U.S. Rep. Trey Radel, R-Fla., in Congress. Clawson battles Florida Senate Majority Leader Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Fort Myers, and former state Rep. Paige Kreegel in the primary next Tuesday. Pat Andrews, who leads the Florida Eagle Forum, released the following statement on Tuesday:

The Tampa Bay Times is reporting that former state CFO Alex Sink will not seek a rematch with U.S. Rep. David Jolly, R-Fla., who bested her in a special election last month. "While I am not running for office in 2014, I will keep an open dialogue with all of you and continue to seek new ways to serve," Sink insisted on Tuesday. The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) quickly moved in to weigh in on the news.

Former state Rep. Paige Kreegel pointed to his A rating from Florida Right to Life during his time in Tallahassee and insisted he would continue the fight against abortion if he wins the special election to replace former U.S. Rep. Trey Radel, R-Fla., in Congress. Kreegel battles businessman Curt Clawson and Florida Senate Majority Leader Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Fort Myers, in the Republican primary a week from Tuesday. "If elected, I will continue to safeguard the rights of the unborn by way of pro-life policies, Kreegel said on Tuesday.

The Republican Governors Association (RGA) showcased Gov. Rick Scott, R-Fla., in its latest American Comeback video released on Tuesday. In the video, Scott talks up his personal story, how he rose from poverty and how his own experiences shaped what he fights for in the political arena, especially job creation. The Scott campaign is already running television ads, including some of which showcase the governors personal story.

With a week to go in the Republican primary in the special election to replace former U.S. Rep. Trey Radel, R-Fla., in Congress, Florida Senate Majority Leader Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Fort Myers, is playing up her pro-life credentials. Benacquisto showcased her A rating from Florida Right to Life for her time in Tallahassee and vowed to continued fighting against abortion. As a mom, protecting life is my greatest priority and I am honored to receive an 'A' rating from Florida Right to Life, Benacquisto noted late on Monday.

The Republican Party of Florida filed an official complaint with the Federal Elections Commission over a Morgan & Morgan TV ad featuring Charlie Crist. The ad airedSunday on WCTV, aCBS Tallahassee affiliate station. Crist's employer and large Democrat donor John Morgan said the airing was a mistake and should have been pulled.

U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., announced on Monday that he was backing businessman Curt Clawson in the Republican primary to replace former U.S. Rep. Trey Radel, R-Fla., in Congress. Clawson takes on Florida Senate Majority Leader Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Fort Myers, and former state Rep. Paige Kreegel in the primary on April 22.

With Passover starting at sunset on Monday, Gov. Rick Scott and some of the leading politicians in Florida offered their thoughts, especially in light of a shooter killing three people at a Jewish center in Overland Park, Kan., over the weekend. "Ann and I wish all those celebrating Passover a happy and healthy holiday and I look forward to taking part in a traditional Seder with members of our Jewish community this evening, Scott said on Monday. Passover is a time where we can all reflect on the freedom we have in our great state and nation.

The Florida Legislature may have taken a week off for Passover and Easter, but the Florida gubernatorial campaign showed no signs of slowing down on Monday as former Gov. Charlie Crist exchanged fire with Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera who played a traditional role for the running mate by going on the attack. Crist, the favorite for the Democratic nomination to challenge Gov. Rick Scott despite spending most of his political year in the Republican ranks, spoke at the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches on Monday.

Florida Polytechnic University named the first president in its history on Monday as a search committee selected Randy Avent, who had been serving as the associate vice chancellor of research development at North Carolina State University. The university is now negotiating with Avent and the state board of governors still has to approve the contract.

The Washington Post and the Guardian snagged the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service on Monday after blowing the lid off of the National Security Agency's widespread spying on ordinary American citizens last year. Former NSA contractor Edward Snowden met withGlenn Greenwald and Laura Poitras in Hong Kong after he downloaded approximately 1.7 million secret NSA files.

With tax day looming on Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw, R-Fla., the chairman of House Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee, called for more IRS accountability, repealing President Barack Obamas federal health-care law and implantation of the FairTax. Crenshaw released the following statement on Monday: