The defense is winding down its case early Wednesday afternoon in the George Zimmerman trial, and it appears less and less likely that Zimmerman himself will take the stand. Even though Zimmerman hasn't testified, jurors have still been watching video of statements he made to police investigators. Zimmerman is currently charged with second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin, a 17 year-old from Miami. Zimmerman claims he shot Martin in self-defense.

If there are any doubts that former Gov. Charlie Crist intends to run for governor in 2014, the announcement this week that a book he wrote -- "The Party's Over: How the Extreme Right Hijacked the GOP and I Became a Democrat" -- should end them. The book is being released in early February, right in time for Crist to begin his gubernatorial campaign. Dutton, the publisher, is promising a no-holds-barred memoir in which Crist shows why he switched sides and became a Democrat.

Former state Rep. Shawn Harrison filed to take on Rep. Mark Danish, D-Tampa, at the end of April, hoping for a rematch of their contest in 2012. In the first two months of his campaign, Harrison did a solid job in bringing in funds, raising $17,545 and spending a little more than $700. Danish only raised $6,000 in the second quarter of 2013 though he was prohibited from raising money when the Legislature was in session. During the second quarter, Danish relied on $500 of in-kind donations and spent almost $2,200.

As the ranking Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Eastern and Pacific Affairs, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., teamed up with Maryland Democrat U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin, the chairman of the subcommittee, to release a joint statement on the start of thefifth U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue which is being held in Washington. The statement was released on Tuesday morning:

On Tuesday, U.S. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus presented U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw, R-Fla., with the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award which is the highest honor the Navy can give a civilian who does not work for the Department of the Navy.

In the wake of Wendy Davis' nearly 12-hour long filibuster against closing down abortion clinics in Texas, the percentage of American voters who are pro-choice and pro-life is the narrowest it's ever been. The new poll found 46 percent of likely American voters considered themselves pro-choice, the lowest finding in nearly three years of studying. The poll also found 43 percent of American voters consider themselves pro-life, the highest finding to date.

On Wednesday, the U.S. House Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee will grapple with the fiscal year 2014 Financial Services Bill.

Money is flowing into the Big Bend region where one of the most competitive congressional races in Florida is shaping up.

This week, U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla., took aim at President Barack Obama and his signature legislation in a message to constituents. Miller ripped Obamas federal health-care law as far more expensive than was anticipated and is a nightmare to comply with. Miller pointed to the administration delaying enacting a mandate on employers as proof that the law is not working and insisted it was expensive.

Reports came out on Monday that there were more Americans on food stamps and other taxpayer-funded food assistance programs (101 million) than were employed in the private sector (97.2 million). Former Congressman Allen West, a favorite of the tea party movement, pointed the blame at President Barack Obama when he posted on Facebook late Monday.

Republicans have to increasingly like their chances of taking down Rep. Carl Zimmerman, D-Dunedin, in 2014. Zimmerman, who represents parts of Pinellas County, defeated Republican incumbent Peter Nehr in 2012 after two previous bids. Nehr faced a contested primary and his chances werent helped when news broke that the Republican House member took risque photos of himself.

National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden has accepted an offer for asylum in Venezuela, according to a tweet sent Tuesday byRussian parliamentary spokesman Alexei Pushko. However, the tweet was deleted thereafter and it was not immediately certain why.

With Rep. Seth McKeel, R-Lakeland, facing term limits in 2014, Colleen Burton has emerged as a strong contender to replace him in the Florida House to represent parts of Polk County.

After defeating Frank Bruno in 2012, Sen. Dorothy Hukill, R-Port Orange, started off with impressive fundraising in the first quarter of 2013 but her pace slowed considerably in the second quarter. Hukill raised more than $77,000 in the first quarter of 2013 and spent around $1,250. The second quarter was a different story as Hukill raised $15,000 and spent around $7,070.

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi had some choice words on Obamacare on FOX News Tuesday morning. Bondi appeared on the news channel's "FOX & Friends" to give her insight about the newest twist in the federal health-care law after the Obama administration announcedon Friday it would be delaying requirements that health care insurance exchanges run by the states need to verify applicants eligibility for subsidized health care coverage.