In selecting a running mate for lieutenant governor, Republican nominee Rick Scott could double-down on his outsider reputation and select state Sen. Paula Dockery.

Or he could appeal to GOP insiders by choosing state Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson.

Or he could pick from any number of Miami-Dade politicians to bolster his standing in South Florida, particularly among the Hispanic community.

Those are just some of Scott's options for a running mate, according to a snap survey conducted by Sunshine State News.

Respondents, who were guaranteed anonymity, represented a cross-section of the political, business and academic worlds, and their partisan orientation ranged from hard right to far left.

Scott's campaign declined to comment for this story. Prospective candidates' responses, when available, appear below.

Paula Dockery

Paula Dockery, who dropped out of the gubernatorial primary last spring, was mentioned most frequently as a like-minded iconoclast who would mesh well with Scott.

The state senator from Lakeland has been a thorn in the side of the Republican Party, challenging its legislative leadership and priorities while continuing to call attention to the nefarious doings of disgraced chairman Jim Greer.

After Scott beat party insider Bill McCollum for the nomination, Dockery submitted a press release applauding his victory and stating, "For too long, true Republican principles have been put by the wayside in favor of the special interest agendas that fund the party elite." The party refused to distribute it.

Dockery clearly likes Scott, and the feeling appears to be mutual.

"We became fast friends during the campaign. I accompanied him on his bus trip for a day, I briefed him on issues, I served as an adviser when he needed something," Dockery told Sunshine State News.

Dockery said there was early conversation about the lieutenant governor's position. "I want to do what I can do to make him successful. I don't know if that's the proper role for me. It depends on how he defines the role," she said.

An insider choice would be Charles Bronson, a multi-generation Floridian who hails from Kissimmee. The current agriculture commissioner toyed with running for governor, but ultimately dropped the idea.

Reached by Sunshine State News, the retiring Bronson said he's not sure a lieutenant governor slot would be "viable."

"I've never met Rick Scott," he said. "I'd be surprised."

Still, an executive with a leading Florida business organization doesn't count Bronson out.

"He brings with him the ag and development industries and he could serve as a party unifier -- not to mention that he brings with him a wealth of firsthand knowledge of state government and what it takes to run an efficient Cabinet. Bronson is respected across the state and his resume speaks for itself," the executive said.