State CFO Jeff Atwater probably has the easiest electoral assignment of all the Florida Cabinet members come November and polls show him with a huge lead over Democrat Will Rankin. Atwater is staying positive in his campaigning so far this election cycle. On Thursday, Atwaters team showcased a Web video in which the CFO talks about his experiences going to Omaha Beach on the 50th anniversary of D-Day back in 1994 and how it motivated him to enter public service. Atwater visited Omaha Beach with his father who was a B-51 Mustang pilot during World War Two

On Thursday, Gov. Rick Scott announced he was appointing state Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Panama City, to the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) and keeping Julie Brown on it.

First elected to represent parts of the Panhandle and the Big Bend back in 2006, Patronis faces term limits in November. Earlier this year, Patronois ended a bid to replace current Florida Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Ft. Walton Beach, in the Florida Senate in 2016. Replacing Eduardo Balbis on the PSC, Patronis will start his new assignment in January 2015 and will serve for four years.

The National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) announced on Thursday it was backing Gov. Rick Scott for a second term, citing his strong record on the Second Amendment.

Rick Scott has an unmatched record of support for the Second Amendment in Florida, said Chris Cox, the NRA-PVFs chairman. Rick has signed more pro-gun bills into law in one term than any other governor in Florida history. Law-abiding gun owners in Florida have a true friend in Rick Scott.

The Florida Forestry Association (FFA) announced on Thursday it was backing Gov. Rick Scott for re-election.

In the endorsement, Alan Shelby, the FFAs executive vice president, pointed toward Scotts work on the greenbelt assessment for agricultural land taxes.

"Gov. Scott understands that working forests work for Florida," said Shelby. "We appreciate his support of our industry's importance to the state's environment and economy.

While Floridas leaders cheered the news that NASA would rely on contracts with private companies like Boeing and SpaceX to resume manned space flight by 2017, the idea is drawing the fire of a prominent national figure: former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga.

The 2012 presidential hopeful published a piece at CNNs website on Wednesday

Facing the real possibility of being excluded from the gubernatorial debates, Libertarian candidate Adrian Wyllie came out swinging on Thursday morning, making his case to be included.

Florida is making progress but places in the middle of the pack of states on highway performance, according to the Annual Highway Report released on Thursday by the libertarian-oriented Reason Foundation. The Sunshine State placed 31st in 2012, up from 33rd in 2011 and 37th in 2009.

On Thursday, former state Rep. Carl Domino, the Republican challenger taking on U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Fla., in November, invoked the legacy of the man his opponent beat in 2012: former U.S. Rep. Allen West, R-Fla. Earlier in the election, West backed Ellen Andel over Domino in the Republican primary but she quickly dropped out of the race after failing to raise significant funds.

Florida TaxWatch launched the Center for Florida Citizenship at an event at the Old Capitol in Tallahassee on Wednesday.

The new organization will educate Floridians on their state government and encourage them to become active in state affairs.

"To hold government accountable, citizens must be directly involved in its processes," said Dominic Calabro, the president and CEO of Florida TaxWatch, on Wednesday. "The Center for Florida Citizenship will give Floridians the tools they need to understand government and take necessary steps to effect change."

Former state Rep. Carl Domino, the Republican nominee challenging U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Fla., released a new TV spot on Wednesday which is more akin to the preview of a summer blockbuster than a political ad. Domino ignores Murphy in the ad, instead focusing his fire on President Barack Obama and Washington.

Our new ad highlights the kind of leadership action needed in Washington, Domino noted about the new ad. Domino is an underdog against Murphy who has been filling the airwaves with TV ads.