Our Mike Bender is reporting that Republican gubernatorial nominee Rick Scott is likely to name state Rep. Jennifer Carroll, R-Fleming Island, as his running mate today.

Carroll, 51, served 20 years in the Navy and retired as a lieutenant commander aviation maintenance officer.

She was elected to the state House in 2003.

Her three children include Nolan Carroll II, a fifth-round draft pick by the Miami Dolphins this year. Post sports writer Ben Volin recently profiled Nolan Carroll, who overcame broken legs in high school and college to become an NFL draft pick.

The gubernatorial nominees from the two main parties chatted last night after Democrat Alex Sink phoned Republican Rick Scott to offer her congratulations. Sink’s campaign described it as a “short conversation” in which she expressed hope they could focus on the issues.

Meanwhile, Scott still hasn’t heard from Bill McCollum, his primary rival who refused to say whether he would endorse Scott during their bruising campaign.

McCollum conceded the primary to Scott but has not endorsed the multi-millionaire who spent more than $50 million of his own money to defeat party establishment favorite McCollum.

McCollum’s campaign spokesman said he would endorse every other GOP candidate but failed to include Scott’s name in the list when asked.

“The attorney general is looking forward to being on the campaign trail for campaigns for our Republican slate, including Marco Rubio, Jeff Atwater, Adam Putnam and our new attorney general nominee and Dean Cannon and Mike Haridopolos and our entire legislative slate,” McCollum campaign spokeswoman Kristy Campbell said today.

When asked if McCollum would endorse Scott, Campbell said: “They have not yet spoken.”

When asked again, Campbell repeated her earlier remarks: “I think (Attorney) General McCollum will make comments this week, where he believes the Republican Party needs to focus on in November. I think you could take from that that he’ll make comments today or Thursday he will focus on electing Republican candidates including Marco Rubio and Mike Haridopolos and Jeff Atwater and the entire Republican legislative slate.”

McCollum became the state’s top GOP elected official when Gov. Charlie Crist abandoned the Republican Party to run as an independent in the U.S. Senate race against former House Speaker Marco Rubio.

Republican Party of Florida officials scrapped a unity party planned in Tampa today after the brutal primary season between Scott and McCollum.

Despite bi-partisan attempts to amend a 100-page condominium association bill, it was passed this morning with no additions _ a 107 to 4 vote that sends it to the governor.

South Florida Republicans and Democrats wanted more power to police condo associations inserted into SB 1196, but bill sponsor Rep. Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Fort Lauderdale, said any amendments would force the Senate to refuse the legislation with just three days left in the session.

Several House members said that logic made no sense, referring to other bills, including the so called “jobs bill” that were amended and sent back to the Senate.

“We make decisions for this chamber. We are not a subset of the Senate,” said Rep. Kelly Skidmore, D-Boca Raton.

The proposed law would require lenders to pay a full year’s worth of back fees when they take title to a property through foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure. Current law requires them to pay only six months of fees.

Also, associations would be able to directly collect rent from tenants living in units of delinquent owners, something that currently requires a court order called a blanket receivership. And non-paying owners or tenants renting units of delinquent owners could be banned from common areas, such as the pool or clubhouse.

Another provision delays a requirement to install fire sprinklers in some common areas from 2014 to 2019.

Although supported by the majority of lawmakers, those on the front lines aren’t sure how much effect the bill will actually have.