There has been a lot of wailing and gnashing of teeth as, in the spring, it appeared that forces supporting Mitt Romney would be able to raise about as much money as those supporting Barack Obama. There's even more now that it seems likely that the pro-Romney side will raise and spend more money than the pro-Obama side.

Lisa Edgar, the longest-serving member of the Florida Public Service Commission, is seeking another term --- but will face competition from 20 other candidates who range from business people and government officials to a former lawmaker.

With her current term ending Jan. 1, Edgar met a deadline last week to apply for reappointment to the $130,000-a-year job as one of the state's top utility regulators. The applications by Edgar and the other candidates touch off a months-long process that will end with Gov. Rick Scott choosing one of them to serve on the five-member PSC.

Give Bill Nelson credit for moxy. After five years of lying like a carp in the Washington weeds, he turns up in Florida at election time shaking a tin cup and warning of a right-wing extremist takeover if he's not returned to office.

On the same day Sen. John Thrasher made it official that he will not run for the Senate presidency in 2016, Sen. Jack Latvala said he believes he has rounded up enough support to claim the office, barring too many losses in this year's elections.

Latvala, R-Clearwater, did not specify how many pledge cards he had collected from members of the Senate's GOP caucus, which will decide who will serve as president unless Democrats seize control of the chamber in this year's elections, 2014 or 2016.

The roots of Gov. Scott Walker's recall victory in Wisconsin can be traced to Springfield, Ill.

Florida's voter registration purge headed to court this week as state and federal agencies traded lawsuits in the politically charged effort to remove ineligible voters from the critical swing state's voter rolls.

In contrast, U.S. and Florida environmental officials appeared harmonious in their joint effort to restore portions of the Everglades after federal officials signed off on a revised plan to clean up water entering the region by reducing phosphorus levels and restoring flow.

WASHINGTON -- Forty years ago, all of America learned the name of a particular condominium, hotel and office complex along the Potomac in the nation's capital.

Great story the governor tells about turning up at the polls dead. You might think that would win a few hearts and minds for the guy.