Former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts, the front-runner for the Republican presidential notification in 2012, announced on Thursday that his campaign would not take part in straw polls being set up in Florida, Iowa and Michigan. Arguing that the event helped propel Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Bob Dole to the partys nomination, the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) is hosting the Presidency 5 straw poll in Orlando in September.

In his first national television interview since he resigned from the U.S. House in a cloud of scandal in 2006, Mark Foley admitted to Fox News' "Hannity" viewers Thursday night that his sexually explicit e-mails to congressional pages were "horriffic behavior" that "embarrassed myself, my staff, my constituents, the Chamber I loved ..."

A day after he was expected to endorse Miami-Dade mayoral candidate Carlos Gimenez, ex-rapper Luther Campbell announced his support for Julio Robaina. The apparent flip brought an immediate rebuke from Gimenez, who said, It is disappointing that Mr. Campbell would change course following our conversations and his indications earlier this week.

Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich continues to stumble in his bid for the Republican presidential nomination. His senior staff -- from his campaign manager to his communications director to his chief strategists -- jumped off the Gingrich bandwagon on Thursday afternoon. With some of Gingrichs former staffers having close ties to Gov. Rick Perry of Texas, speculation has been renewed that Perry may be looking at getting into the race.

The Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) unveiled their report cards on Thursday for legislators for the 2011 session. Looking at a number of pieces of legislation ranging from reforming property insurance, to performance pay for teachers, Medicaid and the state pension system, AIF handed out grades to the senators and representatives -- giving high marks to Senate Budget Committee Chairman J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales, and Rep. Ritch Workman, R-Melbourne among others. The grades can be found at AIF's site.

Christian and human-rights activists are calling on Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn to re-open an investigation into the death of a Muslim woman who they believe was the victim of an "honor killing." Tampa police determined last month that 45-year-old Fatima Abdallah killed herself by repeatedly striking her face against a coffee table and the floor. "The idea defies logic, belies reality," said Pamela Geller, executive director of the Florida chapter of the American Freedom Defense Initiative/Stop Islamization of America.

While the candidates in the Republican primary to take on U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson are starting to take off the gloves against each other, former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux took aim at the Democratic incumbent on Wednesday.

Who says Karl Rove doesn't have a sense of humor? A "Debbie Downer" video starring none other than DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz is making the rounds on YouTube and drawing plenty of laughs, as if she were on "Saturday Night Live" herself. The video was produced by American Crossroads, founded by Rove and former RNC Chairman Ed Gillespie.

In Florida's fight to overturn Obamacare, state Attorney General Pam Bondi said Wednesday she was encouraged by the oral arguments presented at the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday. In a statement issued shortly after the court session ended, Bondi said: I am pleased with the oral argument. The judges were extremely well-prepared and engaged, and our attorney, Paul Clement, did an excellent job.

Politico reported on Wednesday that 12 Republican U.S. senators -- including John McCain of Arizona, Susan Collins of Maine and Chuck Grassley of Iowa -- will be holding a fund-raiser for former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux later in the month.

Phil Handy, who headed Jeb Bushs gubernatorial bids as campaign chairman in 1994 and 1998 and as campaign co-chairman in 2002 and was state chairman for John McCains presidential bid in 2008, is leading former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlentys efforts in Florida for his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination. Handy sent out an e-mail to supporters on Tuesday, arguing that Pawlenty was making strides in the Sunshine State.

Gov. Rick Scott confirmed Wednesday that a security and cash logistics firm is moving its U.S. headquarters to Florida, bringing 100 jobs to the state with an average wage of more than $65,000. The relocation involves Montreal-based Garda World Security Services. The company's U.S. office willmove from Pasadena, Calif., to Boca Raton. See full story in Sunshine State News.

John Winn, who previously served as Florida education commissioner, was once again tapped to head up the state's education system Wednesday, this time on an interim basis. The state Board of Education voted unanimously to appoint Winn, who served as commissioner from 2004 to 2007. He has resigned his position as chief program officer for the National Math and Science Initiative, and will begin work Monday.

Former state House Majority Leader Adam Hasner, now running in a crowded Republican primary to challenge Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012, came out swinging against the federal health-care law backed by President Barack Obama. On Wednesday morning, noting that oral arguments would begin in the constitutional challenge launched by Florida and other states against the law, Hasner insisted the health-care law was undermining economic recovery.

About 100 protesters faced off Tuesday night against a smaller group of Muslims at a South Florida mosque, headed by an imam jailed on charges of aiding and abetting terrorism. Waving signs reading "Shut Them Down!" Christian and pro-Israel activists and tea party members gathered outside the Masjid Jarmaat at-Muminee mosque in Margate early Tuesday evening.