With Passover starting at sunset on Monday, Gov. Rick Scott and some of the leading politicians in Florida offered their thoughts, especially in light of a shooter killing three people at a Jewish center in Overland Park, Kan., over the weekend.

"Ann and I wish all those celebrating Passover a happy and healthy holiday and I look forward to taking part in a traditional Seder with members of our Jewish community this evening, Scott said on Monday. Passover is a time where we can all reflect on the freedom we have in our great state and nation.

The Florida Legislature may have taken a week off for Passover and Easter, but the Florida gubernatorial campaign showed no signs of slowing down on Monday as former Gov. Charlie Crist exchanged fire with Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera who played a traditional role for the running mate by going on the attack.

Crist, the favorite for the Democratic nomination to challenge Gov. Rick Scott despite spending most of his political year in the Republican ranks, spoke at the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches on Monday.

Florida Polytechnic University named the first president in its history on Monday as a search committee selected Randy Avent, who had been serving as the associate vice chancellor of research development at North Carolina State University. The university is now negotiating with Avent and the state board of governors still has to approve the contract.

With tax day looming on Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw, R-Fla., the chairman of House Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee, called for more IRS accountability, repealing President Barack Obamas federal health-care law and implantation of the FairTax.

Crenshaw released the following statement on Monday:

Money is flowing into North Florida where U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland, R-Fla., is battling Democrat Gwen Graham in one of the most closely watched congressional contests in the nation.

On Monday, Southerland announced his campaign had brought in $509,000 in the first quarter of 2014, raising their total to almost $1.5 million and having almost $1.2 million on-hand.

The team behind former Florida Senate Democratic Leader Nan Rich is trying a new tactic as they look to gain ground on former Gov. Charlie Crist in the Democratic primary to see who will challenge Gov. Rick Scott in November: Florida Supreme Court nominees. On Monday, the Rich team turned up the heat on Crist, who is the favorite for the Democratic nomination despite spending most of his political life as a Republican, for naming conservatives to the Florida Supreme Court.

Businessman Curt Clawson went with a different tactic in his battle for the Republican congressional nomination in a special election in Southwest Florida. With barely a week to go until the primary, Clawson released a new commercial on Monday featuring peace and quiet which his team insisted on to contrast with commercials being run from his two main rivals: Florida Senate Majority Leader Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Fort Myers, and former state Rep. Paige Kreegel.

U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw, R-Fla., weighed in on Friday to the news that U.S. HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is resigning her post. Crenshaw vowed to continue to oppose President Barack Obamas federal health care which Sebelius played a major role in implementing.

On Friday, Gov. Rick Scott announced 40 schools in Lee County will be getting $3.5 million due to high-performing bonuses.

Our students and teachers in Lee County deserve to be rewarded for their hard work, and I am pleased to recognize them for their achievements with this $3.5 million investment, Scott said. One of my top priorities as governor is to create jobs and opportunities for Florida families. We know that a good job starts with a great education, and Florida continues to be a leader in education. I look forward to continued gains.

With the resignation of U.S. HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced on Thursday, Gov. Rick Scott said it was about time for Sebelius to leave her position.

Scott rose to political prominence by opposing President Barack Obama's federal health care, which Sebelius played a key part in implementing.