Gov. Rick Scott tells The Hill he is optimistic the U.S. Supreme Court will declare the Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare, unconstitutional. But he added that if the court fails to make such a ruling, and the federal government doesnt repeal the law, Florida will comply.

As the field of Republican candidates seeking to unseat U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Orlando, narrows with the exit of former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux, Gov. Rick Scott still isnt offering hints that hes ready to make any endorsement.

While former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux dropped out of the Republican primary to challenge Democrat incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and threw his support to U.S. Rep. Connie Mack on Wednesday, one of the other candidates battling for the GOP nod showed signs of staying in the race.

With former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux bowing out of the Republican primary to challenge U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-FL, U.S. Rep. Connie Mack--now an extremely heavy favorite to win the GOP nod--thanked his former rival for backing him before slamming the Democrats, insisting they were putting the nation on the road to Greece.

Dean Colson, the chairman of the Florida Board of Governors, released the following statement after the U.S. Chamber of Commerce gave Florida A grades for its four- and two-year post secondary education. It is gratifying to see that Florida was the only state in the nation to achieve an A from the U.S. Chambers annual report card -- for both four-year and two-year public institutions in the Student Access & Success category.

On Wednesday, Americans for Prosperity (AFP), a conservative political group that pushes for free market solutions, released a new ad attacking President Barack Obama in several key states including Florida. The group is pouring more than $1 million into Florida to keep the ad on the airwaves for 10 days starting on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, former Gov. Mike Huckabee of Arkansas, who moved to Florida after his bid for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008, endorsed U.S. Rep. Steve Southerlands, R-FL, bid for a second term. Huckabee and his leadership group--Huck PAC--will be behind the congressman against whoever emerges in a competitive Democratic primary. Huckabee praised Southerlands conservative credentials and record in Washington and in the private sector.

On Wednesday, former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux said that he was ending his bid for the Republican nomination to challenge Democrat U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in November--and threw his support behind U.S. Rep. Connie Mack. See the full story in Sunshine State News now. LeMieux released a video on Wednesday in which he backed Mack after noting that the GOP leadership was behind his opponent and that the congressman was not debating him.

Some of Florida's East Coast residents may have been able to catch the nations latest secret something as it headed on its way into orbit. An Atlas 5 rocket, with a classified National Reconnaissance Office payload, launched successfully from Cape Canaveral just before 8:30 a.m. Tuesday. Few details of the launch were provided and tracking halted shortly after the first stage of the flight was completed, about five minutes after the 19-story rocket lifted off from the Complex 41 pad.

Gov. Rick Scott, expressing concerns about increasing tuition rates at Floridas universities, presented a list of goals for Florida State University System Board of Governors: -- Be No. 1 in university and college affordability. -- Be No. 1 for graduates finding jobs in their fields of study. -- Be No. 1 in the percentage of students receiving STEM degrees.

The 2012 Tampa Bay Host Committee for the Republican National Convention wants people to know about the region.

Nominations are being accepted for the Florida Womens Hall of Fame. The Florida Commission on the Status of Women is accepting nominations through July 16. The commission recommends 10 nominees to the governor, who is to select three for induction in March 2013. For information, visit www.fcsw.net or call 850-414-3300.

Politico is reporting that Sheldon Adelson, the billionaire who helped fund Newt Gingrichs bid for the Republican presidential nomination, is getting active in Florida, sending $1 million to a PAC that will help U.S. Rep. Connie Macks campaign for the U.S. Senate. Adelson plans to spend $100 million in the election cycle--including his support of Mack who hopes to emerge from the Republican primary to take on Democrat incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in the fall.

With Sen. Jim Norman, R-Tampa, announcing last week that he would not seek another term, the Republican leadership continues to back House Speaker Pro Tempore John Legg, R-Port Richey, to take his place. On Tuesday, Legg announced that former Gov. Bob Martinez, who also served as mayor of Tampa, was backing his Senate bid.

On Tuesday, former Senate President Tom Lee unveiled the backing of another prominent Florida Republican for his bid to return to Tallahassee -- U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross. Lee faces Rep. Rachel Burgin in the Republican primary for a state Senate seat.