Jobs and votes are the talk between the man who wants to stay governor and the man who wants to replace him.
Gov. Rick Scott was in Lake Mary Wednesday to talk about new jobs. Scott’s main challenger, Democratic candidate Charlie Crist, visited students at the University of Florida in Gainesville.
Mitsubishi Hitachi announced it was moving the company’s North American headquarters to Lake Mary. It didn't take long for Scott to mention job creation is a key part to his campaign.
"We have added 652,000 jobs in three years and nine months," Scott said during Wednesday's stop in Seminole County.
Mitsubishi Hitachi officials said the new headquarters are expected to be completed by 2016. The company provides systems to power companies around the world and is expected to bring about 100 jobs to Central Florida.
But the announcement started to sound more like a campaign stop.
Speakers praised Scott for policies that make it possible for companies to move to Central Florida and create jobs — a key part of the governor's re-election platform.
Shannon Johnson, a single mother and employee of Mitsubishi Hitachi, thanked Scott for making it possible for families to move to Florida and have jobs.
"Governor Scott, I am so happy you’re with us today," Johnson said. "And it gives me (the) chance to personally thank you for making Florida a good place to companies like ours to grow."
Rep. John Mica also praised Scott, saying he has increased jobs and made coalitions, like transportation, favorable for companies to move to the Sunshine State. Mica even credited Scott for SunRail.
"We would not have SunRail if it was not for the governor," Mica said. "I can (guarantee) you."
Reynaldo Ortega, a Mitsubishi Hitachi employee, said Wednesday's announcement was two-fold: a celebration of job creation and a campaign stop.
Scott is expected to return to Central Florida Thursday with official campaign stops in Oviedo and Orlando.