The latest week in the governor's race ought to put to rest any shred of doubt about the importance of the Hispanic vote in this year's election and also give Floridians a glimpse into what they have to look forward to (or shrink from) over the next four months.
Florida Democrats and state Republicans both released Spanish-language television ads this week in an ongoing appeal to Hispanic voters, considered crucial for a November win.
The Republican Party of Florida released an ad on Wednesday featuring the "Familia Vilariño," restaurant owners who praise Scott for helping small businesses and whose patriarch, Antonio, makes a bipartisan appeal to viewers.
"Regardless of a person's political position, whether Democrat or Republican, I think this governor's steps have been exactly the right ones to grow Florida's economy," Vilariño says.
The RPOF ad came out a day before the Florida Democratic Party released a television ad bashing Scott's education record --- without naming Democratic candidates Charlie Crist or former Senate Minority Leader Nan Rich, who still appear to be heading toward an August primary run-off.
The Democrats' ad, running in the Hispanic strongholds of Tampa, Miami and Central Florida, kicks off with the question "¿De qué lado está?," or "Whose side is he on?" written on a chalkboard, and wraps up with: "Rick Scott. He's never been on our side, and never will be" --- in Spanish, of course.
The RPOF also released another television ad, "The Better Governor," on Thursday.
"Nice sunset. Nice tan. But what’s the real choice between Charlie Crist and Governor Scott?" a female announcer asks.
Spoiler alert: the RPOF thinks Scott is the better guv.
