Florida gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott with his wife of 37 years, Ann, at an enthusiastic tea party event and Election Day pep rally Saturday in Clay County. Credit: Kevin Derby

Gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott, at a tea party event Saturday, led a parade of Republican and conservative candidates -- including a possible 2012 presidential hopeful -- in making one last pitch to conservative Floridians to get out the vote on Election Day.

While most eyes on the First Coast were fixed on the football game in Jacksonville between the Florida Gators and the Georgia Bulldogs, Scott told a cheering crowd of about 1,500 in Middleburg, in Clay County, that they had changed America by standing up against government spending.

“During the health-care debate, you changed the debate,” Scott said to the crowd. Scott, with a lengthy background in health-care management and investment, rose to political prominence in 2009 by opposing health-care laws backed by President Barack Obama.

Accompanied by his family, Scott took aim at his opponent, Democratic candidate and state CFO Alex Sink, and continued lashing out at the Democrats for backing the health-care measures. Polls show that race is very close with several of them showing both candidates leading in the margin of error.

“My opponent thinks Obamacare is good for us,” he insisted, linking Sink to Obama, whose popularity continues to decline in the Sunshine State.

Scott also blasted Sink on taxes, repeating his charges that she supports increased sales and payroll taxes.

A hoarse Scott said he was losing his voice, but nevertheless continued to address the crowd, telling them to bring out the vote.

“We’re taking the state back to the benefit of the taxpayers,” said Scott.

Scott played up his background in the private sector and launched his closing message. “I love the American dream -- I’ve lived it,” said Scott. “I want everyone here to have the same opportunity I’ve had.”

Repeating his campaign’s theme to cheers, Scott closed with, "Let's get to work."

Scott was followed by Mike Yost, the Republican underdog challenging Democratic U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown. Yost said he is running for Congress so his grandchildren will be able to live in a great country.

Next up was state Sen. John Thrasher of Jacksonville, chairman of the Republican Party of Florida. While Thrasher is in a tight battle for re-election with Democratic challenger Deborah Gianoulis, best known to First Coast residents for her many years as a local news anchor, Thrasher focused more on his party responsibilities than his re-election bid.

“The Republican Party of Florida appreciates all of you and all you have done for our state and country,” said Thrasher. Thrasher said he is confident that Republicans are going to crush Democrats in the election. “On Tuesday, we’re going to have a tsunami.”

While many of the attendees did not applaud for Troy Stanley, a businessman and Navy vet running with no party affiliation against Republican U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw, during his introduction, he won heavy applause by honoring veterans and blasting his opponent for backing bailouts.

Senate President Jeff Atwater of North Palm Beach, the Republican candidate for state CFO, ignored his Democratic opponent, former Rep. Loranne Ausley, in his remarks. Quoting Thomas Jefferson, Atwater focused on small business issues, insisting government regulations stand in the way of entrepreneurs and businessmen.

But while the crowd was appreciative of Scott, Stanley and the Republicans, they treated businessman Herman Cain, a favorite of the tea party movement, like a rock star. Cain, who hosts a radio show in Atlanta and rose to become CEO of Godfather’s Pizza, said he is praying about whether to run for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012 -- with more than a few members of the crowd encouraging him to run.