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

On Tuesday, former Gov. Mike Huckabee of Arkansas, who moved to Florida after his bid for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008, endorsed U.S. Rep. Steve Southerlands, R-FL, bid for a second term. Huckabee and his leadership group--Huck PAC--will be behind the congressman against whoever emerges in a competitive Democratic primary. Huckabee praised Southerlands conservative credentials and record in Washington and in the private sector.

Some of Florida's East Coast residents may have been able to catch the nations latest secret something as it headed on its way into orbit. An Atlas 5 rocket, with a classified National Reconnaissance Office payload, launched successfully from Cape Canaveral just before 8:30 a.m. Tuesday. Few details of the launch were provided and tracking halted shortly after the first stage of the flight was completed, about five minutes after the 19-story rocket lifted off from the Complex 41 pad.

The 2012 Tampa Bay Host Committee for the Republican National Convention wants people to know about the region.

Politico is reporting that Sheldon Adelson, the billionaire who helped fund Newt Gingrichs bid for the Republican presidential nomination, is getting active in Florida, sending $1 million to a PAC that will help U.S. Rep. Connie Macks campaign for the U.S. Senate. Adelson plans to spend $100 million in the election cycle--including his support of Mack who hopes to emerge from the Republican primary to take on Democrat incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in the fall.