U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw, R-Fla., looked to clamp down on executive power this week, backing the Enforce the Law Act proposed by U.S. Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., on Wednesday and planning to support the Faithful Execution of the Law Act proposed by U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla. Crenshaw is co-sponsoring DeSantis bill. Crenshaw weighed in Wednesday night on why he was backing the two proposals.

Former Florida Gov. Reubin Askew died in Tallahassee on Thursday after suffering aspirational pneumonia and a stroke. He was 85. Askew served as Florida's 37th governor from 1971-1979. The former state senator from Pensacola was best known for his promotion of fairer taxes as well as opposing racial segregation. He was the first governor in the state's history to be elected to consecutive terms.

The Florida House of Representatives approved a set of bills on Wednesday to give violent sexual offenders longer sentences. Three Senate billswhich passed on the first day of the legislative sessionwere included in the four approved Wednesday. "This will make Florida the safest state in America to raise a family," said Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Shalimar. "And the worst state for violent sexual predators."

Former Florida Gov. Reubin Askew, the states 37th governor, is in very grave condition at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, where he was admitted Saturday. According to Ron Sachs, a former aide to Askew, over the past three months the governor has suffered from aspiration pneumonia, hip surgery and, most recently, a stroke.

The race to replace former U.S. Rep. Trey Radel, R-Fla., is heating up in Southwest Florida as Republican primary candidates start to exchange fire. After Radel resigned at the end of January, three major Republican candidates started battling to replace him. Whoever wins the April 22 primary will have a clear advantage over Democrat April Freeman and Libertarian Rey Netherwood in the June 24 general election.

On Wednesday, Florida Senate Majority Leader Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Fort Myers, announced two state reprsenatives were backing her bid for the Republican nomination in the special election to replace former U.S. Rep. Trey Radel, R-Fla., in Congress. Rep. Matt Caldwell, R-Lehigh Acres, and Rep. Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, said they were backing Benacquisto over businessman Curt Clawson and former state Rep. Paige Kreegerl.

Gov. Rick Scott headed to Panama City on Wednesday to showcase his budget proposal to send $1.1 billion for early childhood education and care, an increase of almost $60 million from last year.

National Right to Life claimed on Wednesday that Republican David Jollys victory over former state CFO Alex Sink in a special congressional election this week was a victory for opponents of abortion. David Jollys victory in Florida is a clear victory for the right-to-life movement, said Carol Tobias, the president of National Right to Life. The contrast between David Jolly and Alex Sink on the life issues could not have been clearer and pro-life voters made their voices heard loud and clear.

Wednesday is the day to celebrate all things tourism for Florida Tourism Day in Tallahassee.The day will consist of leadership speeches, legislative appointments and a Florida Tourism Day street festival. According to the Partnership for Florida's Tourism, the purpose of FloridaTourismDay is to "educate the Legislature, media and Floridians about the importance of Floridastourismindustry and the rationale for the public funding request toincreasetourismmarketing efforts."

Florida Rep. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, was included in GOPACs Class of Emerging Leaders on Wednesday. GOPC selects promising state legislators who have the potential and ability they have shown to have an impact in their state and the Republican Party.' Currently in the last year of his sophomore term, Boyd chairs the State Affairs Committee.

The National Republican Senate Committee (NRSC) pointed to the news that Republican David Jolly won an open congressional seat in Pinellas County on Tuesday, insisting it boded well for the GOP to pick up the U.S. Senate come November. A Republican won a special election that all the experts predicted would go for the Democrats, the NRSC informed supporters via email early on Wednesday morning. The reason? Just like Senate Democrats Mark Pryor, Mary Landrieau, and Mark Udall this Democrat candidate embraced Obamacare. Tonight, she delivered her concession speech.

U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland, R-Fla., offered his take on David Jollys win over former state CFO Alex Sink in a special congressional election on Tuesday niight, insisting the Republican victory showed that Floridians are tired of the policies backed by President Barack Obama and U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. Southerland is facing a major challenge from Democrat Gwen Graham and the GOP is looking to paint her as a Pelosi ally.

Former state CFO Alex Sink, the Democrat in Tuesdays special congressional election in Pinellas County, conceded the race to Republican David Jolly. While tonight was not the result we were hoping for, I am proud of the race we have run and so grateful for the countless Pinellas residents, volunteers and supporters who put their faith in our campaign, Sink informed supporters.

Republicans are celebrating at the national level as David Jolly beat out Democrat former state CFO Alex Sink in a special election in Pinellas County.

With overseas and provisional ballots still out, Republican candidate David Jolly holds a solid lead over Democratic rival former state CFO Alex Sink in a special election on Tuesday to win the seat held for decades by his former boss, the late U.S. Rep. Bill Young, R-Fla.