After 10 Glorious Years, Sunshine State News and I Are Passing the Baton

Former New York Gov. George Pataki, who has an eye on the Republican presidential nomination in 2012, cheered Tuesdays election results. Pataki, who heads up Revere America, has been active in Florida backing Marco Rubios bid for the U.S. Senate, and Republican congressional candidates Steve Southerland, Allen West, Sandy Adams and Dan Webster.

Its not just Sen. Jeremy Ring, D-Margate, calling for Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Karen Thurmans scalp. Peter Schorsch, best known for his service as the executive editor of St. Petersblog, has created a website demanding Thurmans removal after the elections Tuesday -- when Democrats lost four congressional seats, the gubernatorial race, were blown away in the battle for the three other Cabinet posts and became completely irrelevant in the Legislature as the Republicans gained veto-proof majorities.

Individuals suing the Florida TEA Party have dropped their federal case. Now they're looking at a counterclaim of $200,000 in damages. The plaintiffs, led by South Florida Tea Party director Everett Wilkinson, sued TEA Party Chairman Fred O'Neal and others, charging that the newly formed political party had illegally appropriated the "tea" name. The case was filed in U.S. District Court in January. Adding to the legal wrangling, Wilkinson went on to register the "Florida Tea Party LLC" and to declare himself chairman.

U.S. Rep. Connie Mack is looking to move up in the Republican congressional ranks. Mack, who is a possible U.S. Senate candidate in 2012, announced on Thursday that he would run for the House Republican Policy Committee chairmanship.