Florida CFO Jeff Atwater raised some serious cash in the third quarter of 2013, bringing in more than $343,000 during that period and kept most of it in the bank, spending less than $7,900. Atwaters campaign relied on more than $75,600 through in-kind donations in the third quarter. So far, Atwater has raised almost $538,250, relied on more than $442,270 through in-kind donations and spent around $22,200.

Conservatives have launched a website petitioning Dr. Ben Carson to run for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016. John Phillip Sousa IV, descendant and namesake of the famed patriotic composer, is the national chairman of the National Draft Ben Carson for President Committee and sent out an email to Republicans and conservatives on Thursday urging them to support his candidate.

Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Orange Park, and Rep. Bill Hager, R-Boca Raton, are teaming up to file a bill which gives law enforcement the right to arrest people who expose themselves without a warrant or without directly witnessing it. The bill will also increase penalties for repeat offenders.

At the state Cabinet meeting on Thursday, Gov. Rick Scott announced the Florida Park Service won the National Gold Medal Award for Excellence. The award is from the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration and the National Recreation and Park Association. Florida becomes the first state to win the award three times for its park service. No other state has won the Gold Medal award twice.

Ever since U.S. Rep. Bill Young, R-Fla., announced his decision to forgo re-election in 2014, the talk of the town has been who's going to run to take his place. But not even a day after Young made his announcement, the list is getting shorter. Earlier Thursday morning, Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, said he wasn't going to campaign for Young's seat. Now, Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, says he will not be going for the seat, either.

Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) Vice Chairman Blaise Ingoglia won the support of Rep. MaryLynn Magar, R-Hobe Sound, for his bid to represent parts of Hernando County in the Florida House. Magar becomes the 17th legislator to back Ingoglia. I am pleased to offer my endorsement of Blaise Ingoglia, Magar said in a statement on Thursday. Blaise is a natural born leader, committed to ensuring Florida continues to grow and thrive. His conservative values along with his private-sector experience will be a great asset to the Florida House.

Conservative former U.S. Rep. Allen West, who has opened the door to a political comeback in 2016, defended religion in the public square and expressed doubts that nonreligious people can be happy. I had a meeting in downtown D.C. and am standing at the McPherson Square Metro and an advertisement caught my eye saying, Millions of Americans are living happily without religion. The ad is sponsored by the Center for Inquiry, West posted on Facebook on Wednesday.

Former U.S. Sen. Bob Smith, R-N.H., told the New Hampshire Union Leader on Wednesday that he will not run again for the Senate. Smith, who made two bids for the Senate in Florida, had thrown his name out as a possible candidate to challenge U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., in 2014.

Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, said he wouldn't be making a run for Bill Young's congressional seat in 2014, according to SaintPetersblog. Brandes said he wouldn't be looking to take Young's seat, but would instead focus on his re-election to the Florida Senate.

A new poll released Thursday finds former Gov. Charlie Crist with a small lead over Gov. Rick Scott in a possible 2014 match-up. The University of North Florida released a poll which shows Crist taking 44 percent while Scott follows with 40 percent. Crist, who is now a Democrat after winning three statewide offices as a Republican, beats Scott among independents, 41 percent to 33 percent. The poll finds Scott does much better when matched against former state Senate Democratic Leader Nan Rich. Scott takes 43 percent against Rich who follows with 28 percent.

Former Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska and the Tea Party Express are stepping into the special election for a U.S. Senate seat in New Jersey on Saturday. Based on the polls, the Democrats look well-positioned to expand their majority in the Senate as Newark Mayor Cory Booker has a solid lead over former Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan, the Republican candidate. The seat is currently held by U.S. Sen. Jeffrey Chiesa, R-N.J., who was appointed to the seat after the death of longtime U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J.

On Wednesday, Florida TaxWatch testified in front of the Florida Senate Government Oversight and Accountability Committee and called for a state agency focused on information technology (IT). "Florida needs to more efficiently spend public money on the state's IT needs," said Dominic M. Calabro, the president and CEO of Florida TaxWatch. "A state IT agency is the best way to hold individual agencies and the vendors who serve them accountable to Florida taxpayers."

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) is holding a fundraiser in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night for candidates in their Jumpstart tier, including Gwen Graham who hopes to challenge U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland, R-Fla. Lenny Curry, the chairman of the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) looked to connect Graham to U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., in a statement released on Wednesday. Curry and the RPOF have attempted to link Graham to Pelosi in recent months. Graham has refused to say if she would vote for Pelosi to be House speaker.

U.S. Rep Tom Rooney, R-Fla., had kind words for fellow congressman Bill Young, R-Fla., who announced Wednesday he would not seek re-election in 2014 and would be retiring instead:

Republican Party of Florida Chairman Lenny Curry spoke on U.S. Rep. Bill Young, after Young announced on Wednesday he had decided to forgo re-election in 2014 and retire.