Former Gov. Jon Huntsman of Utah garnered the support of three Florida Republicans on Thursday -- state Sen. Rene Garcia of Hialeah, state Sen. Paula Dockery of Lakeland and Longwood Mayor Joe Durso. America needs to strengthen our economic core, and it's leaders like Senator Garcia, Senator Dockery and Mayor Durso who are working hard every day to achieve that goal, said Huntsman who has based his campaign out of Orlando. Im honored and humbled to receive the endorsement of such accomplished public servants.

In Charlotte, N.C., on Thursday for a speech at the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, Minnesota U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann -- trying to revive her faltering bid for the Republican presidential nomination -- came out swinging at the Dodd-Frank Act, the measure President Barack Obama signed to increase regulation of the financial industry.

Former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts has been keeping most of his fire focused on Republican presidential rival Gov. Rick Perry of Texas. Earlier this week, the Romney camp changed direction and released a Web video attacking President Barack Obama for continuing massive federal spending.

With Florida House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, saying that Florida could hold its primary on Jan. 31, Republican presidential hopeful former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania issued a statement late on Wednesday urging that Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina should hold the first presidential primaries.

A Fox News poll released late Wednesday found that the Republican Party of Floridas (RPOF) P5 event in Orlando last week dramatically impacted the race for the GOP presidential nomination, as Texas Gov. Rick Perry faded after a poor debate performance and Herman Cain, who won the P5 straw poll, moved up.

A press release from the office of Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., states he is traveling with a congressional delegation to discuss Libya's transition to life after Col. Moammar Gadhafi. The release: "This morning, Senator Rubio arrived in Libya on an official visit. "Senator Rubio is part of a congressional delegation that includes Senators John McCain, Lindsey Graham and Mark Kirk.

Public Policy Polling (PPP), a firm with connections to prominent Democrats at the national level, released a poll on Wednesday that found that former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts was leading the Republican presidential pack in Florida. Romney topped the poll with 30 percent while former Gov. Rick Perry of Texas placed second in the Sunshine State with 24 percent. Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who represented Georgia in Congress, took third with 10 percent.

Florida Republican U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw issued a statement on Wednesday regarding the death of his father-in-law, former Gov. Claude Kirk. Claude Kirk was probably the most charismatic person I ever met, said Crenshaw. He could be hysterically funny and fearlessly bold, and he championed the environment, education, and diversity long before those issues were fashionable. He carried a bigger-than-life personality that often overshadowed his true genius and the lasting and positive changes he brought to the state of Florida. It is an honor to be his son-in-law.

Donnie W. Crum was appointed interim sheriff of Wakulla County by Gov. Rick Scott Thursday. Crum, who has said he will not seek re-election to the office before the term expires in Jan. 7, 2013, replaces Sheriff David Harvey who officially steps down Oct. 1 in his ninth term as sheriff. Harvey has taken the job of executive director with the Florida sheriffs Risk Management Fund. According to the release from the governor's office:

Gov. Rick Scott appointed Andy Tuck and Donald L. Ellington to the Florida Transportation Commission. According to the release from the governor's office:

A poll released on Wednesday found that former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts is leading the pack of Republican presidential candidates in Iowa, home of the first caucus. With 21 percent, Romney led the American Research Group poll of likely caucus voters. U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota, who won the Iowa Republican straw poll last month, placed second with 15 percent, followed by Texas Gov. Rick Perry with 14 percent. U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Iowa, who placed a strong second in the Iowa straw poll, came in fourth with 12 percent.

Florida and the 25 other states challenging Obamacare announced Wednesday that they asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review the decision of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. This health care law is an affront on Americans individual liberty, and we will not allow the federal government to violate our constitutional rights. Our country urgently needs a final ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement.

A number of state politicians, including Senate President Mike Haridopolos, have posted on the passing of former Gov. Claude Kirk.

Gov. Rick Scott has tweeted that he will be aco-host on the morning show Squawk Box on CNBC.

Having placed a strong second in the Iowa Republican straw poll, U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas continues to build in the Hawkeye State, which will hold the first presidential caucus. Paul toured Clinton, Dubuque and Muscatine on Tuesday and his campaign pointed to the fact that all of the events brought out more than 150 supporters each.