Republican Party of Florida Chairman (RPOF) Lenny Curry took aim on Monday at former Gov. Charlie Crist -- who is the front-runner for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination -- over education.

Former U.S. Rep. Allen West weighed in on foreign policy on Monday, trashing Democrats on the matter. President Obama whispered under his breath in a hot mike moment to then-Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to tell Vladimir Putin he would have more flexibility in a second term, West posted on Facebook on Monday. We now clearly see what that flexibility means: increased aggression by enemies of our state who see a weak, indecisive president.

The Florida Department of Health announced on Monday that Dr. Anna Marie Likos will take over as director for the Division of Disease Control and Health Protection, overseeing the bureaus of communicable diseases, environmental health, and epidemiology.

Gov. Rick Scott announced on Monday that he was naming Rebecca Fishman Lipsey to the Florida Board of Education starting in January 2014. A former public school teacher in New York, Lipsey has been active with Teach For America, leading that group in Miami-Dade.

Visit Florida received a $500,000 grant on Monday from BP's Gulf Seafood and Tourism Promotional Fund to assist with expenses related to Visit Florida'sGoogle Street View Trekker project. The BP grant funding will help cover expenses related to the project, including the cost for the trekkers to travel the state, production of the captured images and promotion of the final product on Google Maps.

As of Monday, Nan Rich is the only Democrat who's officially entered the 2014 governor's race, and the Republican Party of Florida wants to know why former gubernatorial candidate Alex Sink isn't standing by her fellow Democrat. In a statement released Monday, the RPOF attacked both Sink and Rich for their "misguided values" and attacks on Gov. Rick Scott.

Former U.S. Rep. Allen West, who has left the door open for a political comeback in 2016, offered his solution over the weekend on how to avoid a federal government shutdown.

Former state Rep. Scott Plakon is looking to return to Tallahassee and is running against Rep. Mike Clelland, D-Longwood. Over the weekend, Plakon announced in an email that he would be holding a fundraiser in Longwood on Saturday but also noted that former Gov. Charlie Crist, the former Republican who is the favorite for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination next year, is backing Clelland.

Taking aim at President Barack Obamas health care law in an appearance on Sean Hannitys radio show on Friday, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., attacked Democrats on the issue, comparing them to treating Americans like children.

With the 2014 gubernatorial election right around the corner and a potential showdown between Gov. Rick Scott and former Gov. Charlie Crist on the horizon, the Republican Party of Florida has launched a new website to highlight Florida's economic turnaround under Scott.

Mike Fasano took aim at Bill Gunter on Sunday evening, taking to Twitter to bash the Republican candidate hoping to succeed him in the House District 36 race. The tweet read: "@ElectBillGunter can't run on his own merits. Instead attacks opponent using Tallahassee money. Be very careful GOP House Campaigns"

The Dream Defenders camped out at the Florida Capitol for 31 days and even slept over in front of Gov. Rick Scott's office to protest the controversial Stand Your Ground law in Florida, but if it's up to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, that won't be happening again any time soon.

Gov. Rick Scott announced the reappointments of Art Graham and Ronald A. Bristo the Florida Public Service Commission. Graham, of Jacksonville Beach, is currently a commissioner of the Florida Public Service Commission. He previously served as a city councilman for the city of Jacksonville Beach and received his bachelors degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He is reappointed for a term beginning Jan. 2, 2014. His term will end Jan. 1, 2018.

Alex Sink won't be making a run for governor in 2014. The former chief financial officer and 2010 Democratic nominee made the announcement Friday in an interview with the Associated Press. Sink's announcement bodes well for former governor Charlie Crist, who is expected to jump into the race. It means he won't have to face off against Sink if he campaigns for governor. He is expected to make an announcement this fall, according to the Associated Press.

Gov. Rick Scott participated in a dedication ceremony on Friday for Northrop Grummans center of excellence, which will create 1,000 jobs. The governor announced in March 2013 that Northrop Grumman was designating five centers of excellence around the country, with two of them being housed in Florida. The Melbourne location will serve as the manned aircraft design center of excellence.