Commissioner Murman quoted in this Tampa Bay Times article on Governor’s visit to Tampa:

Scott makes appeal to women voters at Tampa campaign stop

JODIE TILLMANTampa Bay Times

Tuesday, September 16, 2014 5:53pm

TAMPA — With polls showing women favor his Democratic opponent Charlie Crist, Gov. Rick Scott and his backers urged a mostly female gathering Tuesday to flip the gender gap to his advantage.

Women business and political leaders from the Tampa Bay area surrounded Scott and his wife, Ann, on a campaign stop at the Laser Spine Institute. Speakers emphasized Scott’s record on education and aid to small businesses as the type of pocketbook issues around which women can rally.

“There are more women-owned small businesses in Florida than anywhere else in the southeast,” said Hillsborough County Commissioner Sandy Murman, a Republican. “This is a no-brainer. Rick’s going to win.”

Kim DeBosier, president of Bayside Engineering in Tampa, said Scott’s support for increasing investment in the science, technology, engineering and math curriculum (STEM) is a way to lure more women into her industry. “The governor gets that,” she said.

Crist’s campaign has emphasized his support for equal pay and abortion rights. Scott avoided those issues Tuesday. He portrayed Crist as someone who can’t accomplish much.

“Charlie is a good talker. He can talk about anything,” said Scott. “But nothing happens.”

Debbie Cox-Roush, a Hillsborough Republican activist, told the gathering that women make up 53 percent of the electorate. “Fifty-three percent. Don’t forget that number,” she said.

Before the Scotts arrived, a campaign worker assembled the women around the podium, handed out handmade signs that included such sentiments as “We love Ann” and had the crowd practice its “Let’s Get to Work” chant, which is Scott’s slogan.

Laser Spine Institute, which quoted Scott in a recent news release announcing its expansion plans, donated $50,000 to Scott’s “Let’s Get to Work” re-election committee this cycle. The company also contributed $25,000 to the Republican Party of Florida in June.

Contact Jodie Tillman at jtillman@tampabay.com. Follow @jtillmantimes.