GOP governor nominee Rick Scott mentioned President Obama 20 times in his speech at Friday night’s Republican Party of Florida lovefest. Local state House candidate Tami Donnally injects “Obamacare” into her challenge of state Rep. Joseph Abruzzo, D-Wellington.

Mentioning Obama, even in non-federal races, plays up “the basic philosophical difference” between candidates, says state Rep. Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, who’s in line to become Speaker in November.

“I think he’s relevant all up and down the ticket because it’s a turnout driver,” Cannon says.

Read about it in this week’s Politics column.

At least four local candidates have secured spots on the 2010 ballot by collecting signatures rather than paying a filing fee.

Democratic Palm Beach County Commissioners Jess Santamaria and Priscilla Taylor and state House candidates Tami Donnally (R) and Lori Berman (D) turned in valid signatures from at least 1 percent of voters in their districts to qualify for the ballot.

The deadline to turn in signatures was noon Monday. Elections staffers are still checking on petitions submitted by five other candidates: Democratic county commission hopeful Michael E. Jackson, state Rep. Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Fort Lauderdale, and state House candidates Mark Marciano, Francisco Rodriguez and Bill Hager.

The period for state and county candidates to submit final paperwork and filing fees to qualify for the 2010 ballot is June 14-18.

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