Rick Scott Won't Offer Primary Endorsement: Both Newt and Mitt Breathe Sigh of Relief

It's not exactly like anyone was chasing the big Rick Scott endorsement anyway, but today Florida's popularity challenged governor made it clear that he will not be endorsing anyone ahead of the state's Republican primary. We doubt either Newt Gingrich or Mitt Romney will lose much sleep over being snubbed by one of the most unpopular govs in the country.

"He's going to not get in the way," Scott spokesman Lane Wright told the New York Times today. "Floridians will choose the person who will have the best plan for jobs, somebody who understands that the private sector will create jobs, not the government."

Scott's approval rating was just a measly 38 percent according to a Quinnipiac poll earlier this month. That's actually his highest approval rating ever, and yet 50 percent still disapprove of his job handling.

Though, a Scott endorsement may not have exactly been toxic in a Republican primary. He has a healthier 67 percent approval rating among Florida Republicans, but if Scott had endorsed the eventual nominee, the association may have come back to haunt the candidate in the general election. Scott has a dismal 35 percent approval rating among independents.

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