Republican Rick Scott did some political barnstorming through the state capital Friday -- holding a series of closed-door meetings with groups of lobbyists and association officials.

Scott, whose self-financed, $50 million Republican primary campaign burnished his image as an “outsider,” spent most of Friday huddling with the state’s most powerful insiders, whose campaign contributions and industry wish lists have shaped Florida public policy for decades.

“I think he hit all the right buttons,” said Associated Industries of Florida President Barney Bishop, who hosted a Scott breakfast meeting that drew about three-dozen people, including representatives of the oil, health-care, broadcasting and outdoor advertising industries.

Those attending the meeting told the News Service of Florida that Scott did most of the talking -- echoing his campaign themes of creating jobs, cutting government regulation and state spending, while eliminating the state’s corporate income tax, which would pull $1.8 billion from state coffers even as the state faces a $6 billion budget shortfall.

“I think this is a guy who gets it,” said Bishop, whose organization issued a dual endorsement of Scott and rival Bill McCollum in the primary. Now, however, Scott is emerging as AIF’s choice over Democrat Alex Sink, who also is seeking to advance a pro-jobs, pro-business campaign agenda.

Most of those attending brought money. But lobbyist Ken Plante, whose clients include convenience stores, horse tracks, and certified public accountants, said the cash call was confined to $500 checks made out to Scott’s campaign.

“I think a lot of people who came to meet Mr. Scott, represent clients, associations and industries that will give to both candidates,” Plante said. “It’s good that he’s interested in learning more about the way things work in government. Things like the bid process, dealing with vendors. Why the state can’t always hire somebody the way businesses do.”

Plante acknowledged, however, that many of the inconsistencies that plague state government are driven by politics and favoritism -- factors sometimes involving the same people Scott met with Friday.

Later in the day, Scott was to meet with health-care lobbyists Jon Johnson and Travis Blanton at their Tallahassee office.


Friday’s meeting was at least the second gathering of the nominee and lobbyists who had helped finance McCollum’s campaign. During a two-day victory tour earlier this week across the state, Scott met with Capitol lobbyists in Tampa who pledged money and support for his campaign. Among those who participated were Ronnie Book, Wilbur Brewton and Brian Ballard, who had been an ardent fund-raiser for McCollum.

A Scott spokeswoman denied that the candidate was being hypocritical wooing many of the lobbyists and associations he derided during the primary as the “special interests” behind McCollum’s campaign.

“Rick Scott is saying ‘I’m a conservative outsider,’” said Jennifer Baker, Scott’s communications director. “He’s beholden to no one. He thinks he’s the best person to turn the economy around, create jobs and cut red tape. If you believe in this agenda, we welcome support from anyone.”

Kyra Jennings, a Sink spokeswoman, didn’t see it that way.

“Rick Scott is now the ultimate insider, in bed with the same partisan special interests and party leaders he said just two weeks ago were tainted with corruption and scandal,” Jennings said. “While Rick Scott may be favored by Tallahassee special interests, Alex Sink is supported by small-business owners across Florida who know she has a longstanding record as a respected business leader.”

Still, Scott’s burgeoning bond with Tallahassee lobbyists may be an ominous sign for Sink, a former board member of the state’s Chamber of Commerce, who is pushing her business background as the former president of Bank of America’s Florida operations and past three years as chief financial officer.