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

With less than three months to go until the Republican primary to see who will emerge to challenge Democrat incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, Senate hopeful U.S. Rep. Connie Mack unveiled his team of conservatives on Tuesday.

Prominent Republicans from across the nation have rushed to South Florida to back potential opponents to challenge U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, best known for leading the Democratic National Committee, most of whom either endorsed Ozzie deFaria or Karen Harrington. But former Gov. Robert Ehrlich of Maryland endorsed yet another Republican in the race on Tuesday when he announced that he was backing attorney Gineen Bresso.

Conservative leader Gary Bauer, best known for leading the Family Research Council and his bid for the Republican presidential nomination back in 2000, pointed to a number of states where attempts to push same-sex marriage failed -- and noted these are some of the chief states up for grabs in the presidential election in November. With President Barack Obama saying that he backed same-sex marriage last week, Bauer insists this will be a major issue in a host of states the Democrat incumbent needs to target in November.

State and national flags will be lowered to half-staff outside the Capitol, the Clay County Courthouse and the Orange Park City Hall for Staff Sergeant Dick Alson Lee Jr., at the order of Gov. Rick Scott.