So far who’s stepped up to take on Florida Governor Rick Scott in 2014? Rick Scott, one of the biggest Republican monsters, in the country according to some local Democrats.

Charlie Crist? Nope. The former Republican, turned Independent, turned Democrat has been in the party for about 5 minutes and will only run if it’s the right move for Charlie.

Bill Nelson? You wish. Don’t get me wrong, he’s the name RPOF should really be worried about but there is serious question over how much gas is left in the tank.

Alex Sink? No. The only one with a real excuse here, she’s already lost to Scott once and the only thing worse than that would be losing to him again, despite his approval numbers setting up residence in the 30s.

It was Nan Rich. Senator Nan Rich who declared her candidacy last year!

Instead Rich was denied a speaking slot at the Jefferson-Jackson Gala and Fundraiser in Hollywood this weekend and justifiably there has been a lot of fuss.

While the others have been sketchy about their intentions and concerned about political survival, Rich didn’t hesitate and while Scott is unpopular, he’s got a powers of incumbency, mid-term voting trends, and a massive war chest at his disposal, Rich would still have an uphill climb.

But the lawmaker earned that time. The organizers should be ashamed. I’d like to see that agenda and how that program is divided.

Here is the speech you would have heard.

———–

Hello.
My name is Nan Rich and I am running for governor!
In November 2014, Florida’s voters will choose who will lead the state for the next 4 years.
Will they want to continue down a path paved with false promises and failed policies – or are
they ready to change direction – change priorities – and get Florida back on the right track?
Well… that’s an easy question for me to answer.
But what about you?
Are you ready to “Pink Slip Rick” and get Florida back on the right track?
During the 2010 Gubernatorial Campaign, Rick Scott made “Let’s get to work” his theme.
But we didn’t know then what it really meant.
Since taking office, Rick Scott and the Right-wing Republican-led legislature really did get to work.
They worked to make it harder for people to vote.
They worked to undermine public education.
They worked to restrict women’s reproductive rights.
And they worked to block Floridians from the benefits of the Affordable Health Care Act.
None of these initiatives created even 1 job in Florida.
Worse yet, the Governor turned away more than $2.4 billion Federal dollars for a high-
speed rail line that would have created over 20 thousand jobs and built new and valuable
transportation infrastructure.
Governor Scott and the legislature also refused to request or accept tens of millions of Federal
health care dollars that could have protected children against abuse and kept frail seniors out
of nursing homes.
And, most recently, they refused to accept $51 billion dollars in federal funds – our tax dollars
– to expand Medicaid; which, in addition to depriving over a million Floridians from healthcare
coverage, also will cost the state an estimated 120,000 jobs over the next 10 years.
“Why I’m Running”
June 14, 2013
Put simply, there are few decisions that Governor Scott has made that I believe have been in
the best interest of Floridians.
That’s why I’m running for governor.
A majority of Floridians don’t want private, for-profit management companies taking over
their schools – they support strong public schools and want a quality education for their children.
So do I.
Education is the path to prosperity and an educated and skilled workforce is the most
essential element in attracting new business and economic development to Florida.
Floridians want health care coverage that’s available and affordable.
So do I.
The Affordable Health Care Act is the law of the land and the Governor and legislature need
to implement it.
A majority of Floridians believe women’s reproductive rights should be protected.
So do I.
The assault on women’s rights must be stopped. Women must have the right to control their
own lives and their own bodies.
And there can be no doubt that a majority of Floridians expect their right to vote to be
protected and encouraged by their government.
So – do – I!
The blatant efforts by this Governor and Republican-led legislature to suppress Democratic
voters is shameful and nothing short of an attack on a fundamental right of every
American citizen.
Voters stood in line until 1:30 in the morning long after they knew that Barak Obama was re-
elected because they were not going to let anybody take away their precious right to vote.
I’m a lifelong Democrat.
I’m a Democrat because of our Party’s values and priorities.
We believe in fairness – in putting the needs of people first.
We believe the civil rights of every individual must be protected regardless of race, creed,
gender, age, or sexual orientation.
We believe that our elderly and disabled should be cared for with dignity and respect.
We believe in the right to a public education and the opportunity for everyone to reach their
full potential.
I have fought for these rights – as a state representative, as a State Senator, and as the first
elected woman leader of the Senate Democratic Caucus.

Political advertisement paid for and approved by Nan Rich, Democrat, for Governor.
And I am prepared and ready to do so now as governor.
Right now, I am the only Democratic candidate who’s been actively campaigning across the
state – and the primary just a little more than a year away.
And while I haven’t run for statewide office before, I would like you to recall a little bit of
Florida history.
When Reubin Askew launched his campaign for Governor, he was a little-known state
senator from North Florida.
When Bob Graham started his campaign he was a little-known state senator from South Florida.
And when Lawton Chiles began walkin’ the state – he too was a little-known state senator
from Central Florida.
All three of those candidates faced better financed and better-known “front runners” when
they ran. They were the dark horses – the long shots.
But they won.
I intend to carry on that tradition – the tradition of Florida’s greatest leaders – by earning the
trust and votes of a majority of Florida’s voters in November 2014.
I made history when I was elected the first woman leader of the Senate Democratic Caucus,
and with your support, I plan on making history again when I’m elected the first woman
governor of Florida in November 2014.
Join me – join the campaign – let’s make history together!
————————

Let’s hope there is a change of heart with the Democratic Leadership and that Rich gets the call at the final moment.

Rich earned a speaking slot on Saturday night. Too bad she won’t get it