Scott runs for governor

Naples health-care entrepreneur Richard Scott announced plans to run for Florida Governor as a Republican.

Scott, who built Columbia/HCA into the largest hospital company in the world, said in a prepared statement that he plans to bring business solutions to the state's problems.

“I know I'm not a political insider or part of the establishment and by entering the race I am stepping on lots of toes and upsetting the apple cart,” Scott says. “But I believe my record and experience in creating jobs, balancing budgets and getting results is precisely what Florida needs.”

Scott will face State Attorney General Bill McCollum in the Republican primary. McCollum currently leads Democrat Alex Sink in the polls.

Scott recently spearheaded Conservatives for Patients' Rights, an advocacy group promoting free-market principles in health care. He also founded Solantic, a chain of urgent-care centers in Florida.