Tampa Tribune Endorses Rick Scott

The Tampa Tribune has endorsed Republican Gov. Rick Scott for re-election.

The paper noted Scott's rocky start after his election in 2010, but said the former healthcare executive has since started listening to the wishes of Floridians and has been a major job recruiter.

"He listened to critics, studied the issues and adjusted his policies to better reflect public priorities, particularly as increased state revenues allowed more spending," the paper wrote in its endorsement. It also noted that he sought to invest in schools, conservation, disabled children's programs and transportation.

But Scott maintained his small-government principals, the paper noted, pointing out that Scott cut 3,000 regulations on small business as well as cutting several taxes.

He also boosted tourism to record levels and made schools more affordable.

The endorsement noted that the paper still has issues with Scott, but said he is a better choice than former Republican Gov. Charlie Crist, now running as a Democrat after leaving the party to run unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Republican Marco Rubio.

Polling one month from the election shows Crist leading Scott by five points.

The paper says that while a return by Crist to the governor's chair would not send the state into turmoil, it would allow him to block the Republican Legislature's efforts to expand school choice, pension reforms and tax cuts.

"And voters should remember Crist chose to abandon the governor’s office to advance his political career and seek a U.S. Senate seat," the papers said. "Scott, in contrast, is focused on the job at hand."

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