Former U.S. Rep. Allen West, R-Fla., took aim at Democrats on Tuesday as he bashed them for supporting President Barack Obama. Despite his loss in 2012 to Democrat Patrick Murphy, West, a favorite of the tea party movement, has left the door open to a political comeback in 2016.

We need to elect principled leaders to replace the mediocre bureaucrats who are nothing more than rubber stamps for Barack Obama's reckless radical agenda, West insisted on Tuesday. This needs be our No. 1 priority in the new year, because it's the only way to make America great again.

Rep. Steve Precourt, R-Orlando, has been named executive director of the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority (OOCEA). Currently the chairman of the State Affiars Committee, Precourt seved as House majority leader last year. Precourt, who represents parts of Orange County, was facing term limits in 2014.

Congrats to my friend StevePrecourt on his appointmentt as OOCEA chair (sic.), House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, posted on Twiter on Tuesday morning. He has been a great leader in the House.

Tuesdays Google doodle honors writer Zora Neale Hurston, who was born on Jan. 7 1891. While shes best remembered for her literary works, including Their Eyes Were Watching God, Hurston was also a staunch conservative, especially in the last decade of her life. Hurston was an outspoken critic of communism but also of the federal government and American intervention overseas.

On Tuesday, launching the latest in a series of attacks on former Gov. Charlie Crist, the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) attempted to contrast the newly minted Democrat with Gov. Rick Scott regarding President Barack Obamas federal health-care law. Despite spending most of his career as a Republian, Crist is the favorite for the Democratic nomination to challenge Scott in November.

Former U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, best known for his three presidential bids and now the chairman of the Campaign for Liberty, called for the U.S. Senate to reject the nomination of Janet Yellen to be the next chairwoman of the Federal Reserve.

Since its creation, the Federal Reserve has destroyed 97 percent of the value of the dollar along with millions of jobs, Paul said on Monday. The Federal Reserve and its failed policies of monetary expansion, zero interest rates, and crony bailouts are responsible for the economic crisis we find ourselves in today.

Gov. Rick Scott marked Epiphany, also known as Three Kings Day, which traditionally marks the end of the Christmas season.

Ann and I wish all Floridians celebrating Three Kings Day a safe and blessed holiday with their loved ones, Scott said on Monday. Today is one of the most special days of the holiday season and a great chance for Floridians to celebrate with family and loved ones.

Marshall Criser III took over as chancellor of the State University System of Florida on Monday.

This is a tremendous privilege, and I take it very seriously, said Criser. I look forward to working hard with other leaders in this state to make our universities the most accountable, accessible and high-achieving in this country.

Criser garnered the praise of the two leaders of the Florida Legislature.

Former state Senate Democratic Leader Nan Rich is a major underdog to topple former Gov. Charlie Crist in the Democratic gubernatorial primary despite the favorite only joining the party in December 2012 after years as a Republican.

But Rich reeled in an endorsement on Monday from state Sen. Dwight Bullard, D-Cutler Bay. After serving in the House, Bullard was elected to the Senate in 2012 and did not serve with Rich. However his mother, the late state Sen. Larcenia Bullard, served alongside Rich in the Senate.

The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) turned up the heat on former state CFO Alex Sink on Monday as she continues her bid for a congressional seat representing Pinellas County. Sink has no opposition for the Democratic nomination while three Republican hopefuls battle it out in next weeks primary.

The NRCC looked to link Sink to President Barack Obamas federal health-care law, noting 30 members of Congress, including U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., raised $132,500 for her.

The Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) launched an attack on former Gov. Charlie Crist on Monday, trying to link him to President Barack Obamas federal health-care law. Despite joining the Democrats in 2012 after spending most of his political career as a Republican, Crist is the favorite for his new partys nomination to challenge Gov. Rick Scott in November.