Rick Scott Will Not Endorse In Florida Primary 2012

Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) affirmed he would not endorse a GOP presidential candidate ahead of the state's crucial Jan. 31 primary.

He confirmed his decision during an appearance on Fox News Monday morning. "That's right," he said. "I think the right thing to do is to have these candidates come and campaign."

Scott also told an audience at the Florida Retail Foundation on Friday that he wouldn't endorse.

Scott's low approval ratings, measured at 26 percent in December by Public Policy Polling, led many to question the value of his endorsement.

Former Gov. Jeb Bush (R) said that he will "stay neutral" in the race.

Then-governor Charlie Crist endorsed Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who went onto beat Romney, four days before the primary in 2008. But Crist has since earned the ire of many Republicans for running as an independent against Republican Marco Rubio in the 2010 race for U.S. Senate.

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R), who was elected in the GOP wave of 2010 like Scott, endorsed Mitt Romney ahead of her state's primary and campaigned extensively with him. Romney lost the state by almost 13 points to Newt Gingrich.