The Values Voters Summit closed Saturday with an upset in a straw poll for 2012 presidential hopefuls.

Republican candidates for statewide office pledged during the weekend to continue defending the Second Amendment -- and took aim at Democrats who, they said, are working to undermine the right to bear arms.

Small-business issues have taken center stage in U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultzs bid for re-election to Congress.

After three months of decreasing in the spring, the unemployment rate in Florida increased in July and August as the Sunshine State continues to lag behind the rest of the nation in terms of economic recovery

Late Thursday the Florida Chamber of Commerce announced its endorsements in the gubernatorial and attorney general races -- backing Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott and attorney general hopeful Pam Bondi over their Democratic rivals.

Religious conservatives will assemble in Washington this weekend to take part in the Value Voters Summit -- and to take part in a straw poll which will serve as an early test of strength to see which Republican hopefuls will appeal to this pivotal group of primary voters.

This could be a bad sign for former Gov. Jeb Bushs future presidential ambitions.

Guns and crime took center stage in the gubernatorial contest Wednesday as both nominees, Republican Rick Scott and Democrat Alex Sink, showed off their endorsements.

Gov. Charlie Crist continues to find himself at loggerheads with the Republican leadership in the Legislature -- this time over a budget matter involving funds from the federal stimulus targeted for Floridians looking to switch to solar power.

Republicans in Florida are trying to make the November elections for state offices a referendum on President Barack Obama, betting that the Sunshine States continuing lagging economy and mounting discontent with the White House will pay heavy dividends when voters hit the polls.