Florida: Huckabee for governor. According to a recent survey by Public Policy Polling (D), 50% of Sunshine State Republicans say former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, should run for governor in his adopted state in 2018; 24% say he should not run. But when all voters, including Democrats, were polled, 42% said he shouldn’t run to 32% who say he should, reports Sunshine State News. Huckabee moved to Floridaafter his failed 2008 presidential bid ……. Alabama: Financial services unhappy with Shelby. Says a lobbyist, quoted anonymously in The Hill, “The Richard Shelby chairmanship has been a huge disappointment not only to the financial services community, but the business community and the larger consumer community.” Thus, the business sector that Shelby, as chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, oversaw is not disappointed to see him step down as committee chair next year, due to GOP term-limit rules. Shelby’s office places blame for sluggish action by the committee on Democratic obstruction. Meanwhile, Shelby is a shoo-in for reelection in November ……. Kentucky: McConnell mum on budget showdown. With the Senate having just three weeks to pass a budget that includes funding to combat the Zika virus, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has given no hint as to whether the GOP will drop its rider withholding funds from Planned Parenthood in Puerto Rico, the sticking point on the budget. Nevertheless, reports The Hill, Republican insiders are downplaying the prospect of a government shutdown over the issue …….