Florida Republicans continue to demand Jesse Jackson apologize for calling Florida an apartheid state. On Thursday, new Florida House Majority Leader Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, demanded Jackson apologize. Crisafulli is expected to become House speaker after the 2014 elections.

On Thursday, U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., teamed up with U.S. Rep. Matt Salmon, R-Ariz., to introduce an amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

DeSantis and Salmons proposed 28th amendment would stop Congress from making any law that exempts members of Congress from its operation and both congressmen argued on Thursday about why it was needed.

Former U.S. Rep. Allen West, a favorite of the tea party movement, ripped into Congress on Thursday, attacking the Democratic Senate and the Republican House for going into recess in August. West has opened the door to a political comeback in 2016.

On Thursday, Rep. Jake Raburn, R-Valrico, became the 11th state legislator to back Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) Vice Chair Blaise Ingoglias bid for the Florida House.

"Blaise Ingoglia has been a leader in Hernando and throughout our state advocating for lower taxes, less government, more personal responsibility and personal freedom," Raburn said in a statement on Thursday. "I also appreciate Blaise's strong commitment to strengthening Florida's education system, so each and every child has an opportunity to succeed.

With Floridians getting ready for the sales tax holiday on back-to-school shopping starting Friday, Dominic Calabro, the president and CEO of Florida TaxWatch, said the state can miss out on the revenue due to the Legislature being fiscally responsible

With the House Armed Services Committee getting a classified briefing on Wednesday on the attack that killed four Americans in Benghazi, U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw, R-Fla., called for a congressional investigation of how the Obama administration handled it.

The gloves are coming off as Republicans start to position for the 2016 presidential race. On Wednesday, the Campaign for Liberty, chaired by former Congressman Ron Paul, attacked U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., for voting to supply foreign aid to Egypt. Pauls son -- U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky. -- and Rubio are both top contenders for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016.

The Campaign for Liberty sent out a statement on Wednesday attacking Rubio:

With Jesse Jackson going all out to attack Florida as an apartheid state as he calls for the Sunshine State to repeal the Stand Your Ground law, Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) Chairman Lenny Curry is taking Democrats to task in the Sunshine State for allying with him.

Curry cited an anti-Semitic comment Jackson made during his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination about New York in a statement released on Wednesday afternoon.

Rep. Linda Stewart, D-Orlando, drew a Republican opponent on Wednesday as business owner Mo Pearson announced he was running for the seat, which represents parts of Orange County, as a Republican. Stewart beat Bob Brooks for the open seat in November.

Pearson founded 3E Consultants, an ecological services consulting firm. He has been active in the community, serving on numerous civic and business boards.

Gov. Rick Scott fired back at Jesse Jackson who had called Florida an apartheid state and the Selma of our times and demanded an apology.

Jesse Jackson owes every Floridian an apology for his reckless and divisive comments, Scott said. It is unfortunate that he would come to Florida to insult Floridians and divide our state at a time when we are striving for unity and healing. Floridians are a strong, resilient people. We are fortunate to live in a great state where all Floridians enjoy opportunities to get a great job and a world-class education.