Gov. Rick Scott focused on education on Monday, showcasing his calls to raise K-12 funding, looking at standards and assessment and trying to keep higher education affordable.

Everyone in Florida deserves to live the American dream and that starts with a great education, Scott said. We want to make sure that our students have every opportunity to succeed in the classroom and in their careers, and we want to make sure our teachers have every tool they need to make that possible.

Locked in a competitive Republican primary on Tuesday against attorney and GOP leader Paul Renner to replace retiring state Rep. Daniel Davis, R-Jacksonville, in the Florida House, banker Jay Fant announced the endorsements of two state representatives over the weekend: Halsey Beshears, R-Monticello, and Charles Van Zant, R-Keystone Heights.

Despite the primary looming on Tuesday, a new poll shows Democrats remain largely undecided on who they want to challenge Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi in November.

A new poll shows former Gov. Charlie Crist has a commanding lead over former Florida Senate Minority Leader Nan Rich in Tuesdays Democratic primary to see who challenges Gov. Rick Scott in November.

St. Pete Polls took a poll for Saint Petersblog which shows Crist with 68.5 percent and Rich with 18.9 percent. Despite having been a Republican for most of his political career, Crist is in good shape with Democrats with 70.5 percent seeing him as favorable and 18.7 percent seeing him in an unfavorable light.

With federal Judge Robert Hinkle striking down the state constitutional amendment on Thursday, recognizing only traditional marriage in Florida, the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops released a statement on the decision. The amendment was added in 2008 after 62 percent of voters approved it at the ballot box.

The statement is as follows:

In the final days of the primary, U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw, R-Fla., announced on Thursday that two congressmen from neighboring districts endorsed him over Republican primary challenger former Navy Capt. Ryamn Shoaf. Even worse for Shoaf, one of those congressmen used to be his boss.

U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., and U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho, R-Fla., endorsed Crenshaw on Thursday. Shoaf had served on Yohos congressional staff.

Facing a crowded Republican primary to see who will challenge U.S. Rep. Joe Garcia, D-Fla., in November, Miami-Dade School Board member Carlos Curbelo unleashed a new Web video on Thursday featuring one of his prominent supporters: former Gov. Jeb Bush.

"Carlos Curbelo represents a new generation of conservative leaders who are eager to serve their country and advance important reforms for our nation, Bush says in the ad.

U.S. Rep Steve Southerland, R-Fla., faces a tough challenge from Democrat Gwen Graham, the daughter of former U.S. Sen. and Gov. Bob Graham, D-Fla., in November and he is going all out to tie her to President Barack Obamas federal health-care law.

In Panama City on Wednesday, Southerland announced the support of the Bays Medical Society and Florida Medical Association before turning his fire on Graham.

Florida TaxWatch noted on Thursday that the Legislature will have almost $30 billion in general revenue for next years budget.

"Florida is now in the middle of its largest ever state budget, which is expected to grow even larger next year," said Dominic Calabro, the president and CEO of Florida TaxWatch. "Florida is experiencing steady recovery and growth and our revenues have finally recovered from the recession."

Gov. Rick Scott announced plans on Thursday to raise education spending to more than $19.6 billion, increasing per-pupil spending to $7,176, which is $232 per student more than last year.

The previous record high was $7,126 from 2007-08.