Conservative former U.S. Rep. Allen West, who has opened the door to a political comeback in 2016, defended religion in the public square and expressed doubts that nonreligious people can be happy.

I had a meeting in downtown D.C. and am standing at the McPherson Square Metro and an advertisement caught my eye saying, Millions of Americans are living happily without religion. The ad is sponsored by the Center for Inquiry, West posted on Facebook on Wednesday.

Former U.S. Sen. Bob Smith, R-N.H., told the New Hampshire Union Leader on Wednesday that he will not run again for the Senate. Smith, who made two bids for the Senate in Florida, had thrown his name out as a possible candidate to challenge U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., in 2014.

A new poll released Thursday finds former Gov. Charlie Crist with a small lead over Gov. Rick Scott in a possible 2014 match-up.

The University of North Florida released a poll which shows Crist taking 44 percent while Scott follows with 40 percent. Crist, who is now a Democrat after winning three statewide offices as a Republican, beats Scott among independents, 41 percent to 33 percent.

The poll finds Scott does much better when matched against former state Senate Democratic Leader Nan Rich. Scott takes 43 percent against Rich who follows with 28 percent.

Former Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska and the Tea Party Express are stepping into the special election for a U.S. Senate seat in New Jersey on Saturday. Based on the polls, the Democrats look well-positioned to expand their majority in the Senate as Newark Mayor Cory Booker has a solid lead over former Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan, the Republican candidate. The seat is currently held by U.S. Sen. Jeffrey Chiesa, R-N.J., who was appointed to the seat after the death of longtime U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J.

On Wednesday, Florida TaxWatch testified in front of the Florida Senate Government Oversight and Accountability Committee and called for a state agency focused on information technology (IT).

"Florida needs to more efficiently spend public money on the state's IT needs," said Dominic M. Calabro, the president and CEO of Florida TaxWatch. "A state IT agency is the best way to hold individual agencies and the vendors who serve them accountable to Florida taxpayers."

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) is holding a fundraiser in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night for candidates in their Jumpstart tier, including Gwen Graham who hopes to challenge U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland, R-Fla.

Lenny Curry, the chairman of the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) looked to connect Graham to U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., in a statement released on Wednesday. Curry and the RPOF have attempted to link Graham to Pelosi in recent months. Graham has refused to say if she would vote for Pelosi to be House speaker.

Liberal group Democracy for America (DFA), founded by former Gov. Howard Dean of Vermont who won national attention for his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004, endorsed former state Rep. Rick Kriseman to be mayor of St. Petersburg

Democracy for America Chair Jim Dean, the brother of the former presidential candidate, praised Kriseman'sliberal credentials and pledged the group would fight for him.

U.S. Rep. Bill Young, R-Fla., announced on Wednesday that he will not seek re-election in 2014. Young made the announcement in an interview with the Tampa Bay Times.

With tourism ranking as one of the foundations of Floridas economy, its only fitting that a congressman from the Sunshine State was named as the co-chairman of the Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus this week.

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., announced on Tuesday that he will join U.S. Rep. Sam Farr, D-Calif., to co-chair the caucus. Bilirakis takes over from former U.S. Rep. Jo Bonner, R-Ala., who retired from Congress. Farr has helped lead the caucus since 1997.

On Wednesday, Gov. Rick Scott honored businesses which are committed to employing the disabled.

"These businesses have done an incredible job in providing jobs and opportunities for individuals with disabilities, Scott said. We have to support families efforts to find jobs for their loved ones, and thats why my Florida Families First Budget invested $500,000 to provide job training skills for individuals with disabilities.