State Rep.Jay Fant didn’t officially receive an endorsement from Gov. Rick Scott for his bid to be Florida’s next Attorney General, but the governor didn’t waste time doing anything but praise Fant in Jacksonville Wednesday.
Speaking at a recent Enterprise Florida meeting, Scott praised the Jacksonville Republican for being a leader in the governor’s fight to keep state economic agency Enterprise Florida alive during this year’s legislative session.
“There are not a lot of people in the Legislature that stood up for us and talked vocally about their support of Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida,” Scott said. “Jay Fant was one of the few, and I want to thank Jay for doing that and I wish all luck in your next endeavor.”
The next endeavor for Fant is, of course, the Attorney General’s office. Fant officially kicked off his campaign for the Cabinet post in May, citing his “zeal for protecting property and people” as part of the reason he was running for office.
Fant gained favor with Scott earlier this year as a fight over Florida’s twin economic agencies, Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida, raged on in the House.
“He was a leader to try to make sure that happened, so I appreciate all his hard work in Tallahassee, and I know he’s done a lot of good things right here in Jacksonville,” said Scott on Fant’s role in protecting the agency.
The battle over axing Enterprise Florida became the hallmark of the 2017 legislative session, with the Florida House vehemently opposed to the program, which House Speaker Richard Corcoran dubbed a waste of taxpayer dollars.
Enterprise Florida has long been one of Scott’s top priorities and Fant risked fallout from legislative leadership in his support to keep the program alive.
Scott later added he “had not endorsed” in the race, but has remained mostly quiet on any other candidates up to this point.
Fant’s campaign team said they welcomed the comments, which could be a boon to Fant’s bid for AG.
“We're happy with Gov. Scott's words about Jay,” said Fant spokesperson Jordan Kirkland Wednesday.
The same can’t be said for incumbent Pam Bondi, who has already made her choice for her successor clear -- and it’s not Fant she supports.
The two-term Attorney General has already voiced her support for Republican Ashley Moody, a former circuit judge from Hillsborough County.
“I’ve known her most of her life,” Bondi told the Tampa Bay Times. “I don’t think there could be a more qualified candidate for attorney general in the entire state of Florida. I wholeheartedly support Ashley and I’m proud of her for wanting to sacrifice so much for our state.”
Moody has also reeled in support from top GOP senators like Tom Lee, Wilton Simpson and Dana Young.
Fant has garnered the support of fellow House Republicans like Rep. Joe Gruters, Bob Cortes, Mike Miller and Rene Plasencia in his bid to become Attorney General.
When it comes to Moody, Fant’s campaign team says he isn’t fazed by his status as an “underdog.” In fact, he revels in the title.
“In establishment politics, I'm exactly where I need to be -- because I'm not the establishment,” Fant told Sunshine State News.
Reach reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen.
