U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam, the Republican candidate running to be the state’s next commissioner of agriculture and consumer services, unveiled backing from prominent Florida Democrats on Thursday while his Democratic rival Scott Maddox continued launching attacks.

“Adam Putnam reaches across party lines to ensure all Floridians have a voice at the table,” said former Gov. Wayne Mixson, who backed Putnam over Maddox, the former Tallahassee mayor who served as chairman of the Florida Democratic Party. “Our state will be united under his leadership, and Floridians will finally see real solutions taking priority over politics.”

“Serving as commissioner of agriculture takes a strong background in agriculture, dedication to consumer protection and a vision for Florida’s future,” said former Commissioner Bob Crawford. “Adam Putnam has worked with members of both major political parties to ensure a prosperous future for agriculture and our great state. As a former commissioner of agriculture, I am honored to join with fellow Democrats in endorsing his candidacy.”

“Throughout my career in the Florida House and U.S. House, I have dedicated myself to working with representatives from all political parties, because I believe the best solutions are developed together,” said Putnam. “I am honored to have the endorsement of these strong Florida leaders and Florida Democrats as we all work toward ensuring Florida remains the best state to call home.”

Mixson -- who was governor for the three days between Gov. Bob Graham stepping down to take his seat in the U.S. Senate and Bob Martinez being inaugurated -- has backed Republicans before, including supporting President George W. Bush’s bid for re-election in 2004. Mixson supported Republican Jeb Bush for governor over Democrat Buddy MacKay back in 1998; he also backed Republican Bill McCollum for attorney general over Democrat Skip Campbell.

Maddox continued unleashing fire at Putnam. The Maddox campaign released a web video on Thursday morning featuring Maddox and his wife Sha. In the video, Maddox tears into Putnam’s congressional record.

The video follows a sharp volley at Republicans that Maddox launched at a media event in Tallahassee on Wednesday . While Maddox took aim at Putnam, he also fired away at Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott.

Maddox said he watched the debate between Scott and Democratic candidate state CFO Alex Sink on Monday. “It seems clear to me that Rick Scott wanted to turn his campaign and the campaigns in Florida to things in Washington,” said Maddox.

Maddox, flanked by pictures of Scott, Democratic U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California, and Putnam with U.S. House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio, tore into Scott and Putnam.

“Adam Putnam personifies Washington insider,” insisted Maddox. “Rick Scott personifies everything about big business that makes people sick.”

Maddox, a former chairman of the Florida Democratic Party, labeled both Scott and Putnam as “hypocrites,” arguing that their rhetoric and their actions do not match. Maddox lambasted Putnam for backing the TARP bailout and insisting the Republican backed amnesty for illegal aliens. Maddox attacked Scott’s record at Columbia/HCA, noting that the Republican presided over massive Medicare fraud.

“The fact that they can say these things with a straight face is beyond comprehension and speaks to their willingness to say or do anything to get elected,” said Maddox.

Asked about why he was taking aim at Scott when he was running against Putnam, Maddox said, “The job I’m running for is to look out for the consumer.” Maddox said he would have a hard time looking down the Cabinet table to see Scott, again bringing up Scott’s record in the private sector. “I feel like it’s my duty as a citizen to speak out against Rick Scott.”

Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.