As the battle to become the next chairman of the Republican Party of Florida enters its final week, candidates angling for the post continue to unveil endorsements.

Rick Scott dropped the "elect" from his title this week, becoming the 45th governor of Florida and immediately getting to work, as he promised to do during his campaign – repeatedly.

Looking to spur African-American turnout at the polls, Sen. Tony Hill, D-Jacksonville, launched a new group called Florida African-American Caribbean Empowerment (FACE) on the steps of the old Capitol on Tuesday.

State Republicans fought back against new federal health-care laws Thursday, as the GOP-dominated House and Senate sent a constitutional amendment to voters that would allow Floridians to opt out of health insurance.

With new laws threatening individuals who refuse to buy health insurance with penalties from the IRS, supporters of the proposed amendment said this would allow Floridians freedom and choice with their health-care decisions. Attorney General Bill McCollum has filed a lawsuit against the new federal laws.

Kendrick Meek's U.S. Senate campaign turned in petitions Monday to place him on the ballot, edging the Democratic representative closer to becoming the first ever statewide candidate to avoid paying Florida's hefty filing fee.

“We have made history by filing over 145,000 signatures,” said campaign manager Abe Dyk.