Paper says Navy vet and GOP star Carroll is Scott's pick for Florida race
Thursday, September 2, 2010 at 8:48AM 
Florida state rep. Jennifer Carroll spoke at the opening of the GOP Minority Headquarters in Jacksonville. The Florida Times-Union said Rick Scott will announce Carroll as his running mate in the Florida governor's race. (Photo by Kay B. Day)Gubernatorial GOP candidate Rick Scott plans to announce his running mate in Jacksonville, Fla. on Thursday, but the Florida Times-Union has already called it for popular state rep. Jennifer Carroll (Fla.-13). Carroll is well known to Republicans in the Sunshine State and is that rare stateswoman who advocates self-reliance and the value of education. I’ve talked to Carroll at various political events and Scott couldn’t pick a better nominee for Lt. Governor.
Carroll has a long record of service to her country—even that sets her apart. She’s a woman who worked as a jet mechanic and retired as a Lt. Commander in the US Navy. Among an assortment of medals and ribbons is the Expert Pistol Medal.
Carroll and her husband Nolan, a veteran of the US Air Force, live in Clay County. They have three children. Carroll’s son Nolan was recently drafted by the Miami Dolphins.
Unapologetically conservative, Carroll addressed an overflow crowd at the Jacksonville GOP Minority Headquarters grand opening in February, 2009. “Back in the 1800s,” Carroll said, “the only party blacks could join was the Republican Party. Our principles still remain.” Carroll said the GOP was formed to put an end to slavery. She pointed out history making Republicans like Condoleezza Rice, noting the criticism Rice endured. “You didn’t see her on a t-shirt,” Carroll said.
Carroll will bring invaluable expertise to Scott’s candidacy because she has also served in the Florida Legislature with distinction. She pushed through legislation for neighborhood crime watch programs, and the Times-Union said she served as deputy majority leader in 2003 and as the House majority whip from 2004-2006.
Rep. Jennifer Carroll spoke at a GOP event in Jacksonville in August.Other media have published stories about Carroll joining the Scott ticket, quoting various professor-pundits who state the obvious—her nomination adds diversity to the ticket.
But if you’ve ever talked to Carroll, you’ll come away realizing she is Main Street to the core and she firmly believes that all Americans can achieve their dreams if they are willing to work for them. She is also a natural born speaker, articulate and charismatic. She is, in a word, exactly what the GOP needs.
Only someone clueless about Republican politics would see Scott’s pick as a diversity ploy—that claim is an insult to a woman far more accomplished, intelligent and down to earth than most of the political candidates I’ve met. And I have met a lot of them.
The US Report applauds the addition of Carroll to the GOP gubernatorial ticket. Scott couldn’t have selected a more qualified, talented running mate if the Times-Union story is accurate. (By Kay B. Day/Sept.2, 2010)
Kay B. Day, Editor
Followup article at Jacksonville Republican Examiner after Scott officially announced Carroll as his running mate. Scott made the announcement in Jacksonville on Thursday morning.