Editors Note: Heard it Through The Groves is a section of the Florida Squeeze strictly for rumors and gossip. We require two sources to verify information before we publish it but these are NOT news stories but simply rumors. We urge our readers to treat rumors with a pinch of skepticism as we do.

Jennifer Carroll’s resignation as Lieutenant Governor has set off a frenzy of speculation as to who will be her replacement. Governor Scott will take his time with making a decision but we understand several current and former State Senators are under consideration. Scott knows he needs to get this selection right even though let’s face it the vast majority of Floridians had never heard of Jennifer Carroll before this week and probably will forget her name real soon.

The most prominent names that we have heard mentioned among sitting legislators are Senator Anitere Flores, Senator Jack Latvala, Representative Dana Young, and Senator John Thrasher. We have also heard the names of former Senator Ellyn Bogdanoff and former Rep. Adam Hasner, though the latter would likely be too combative and risky for Scott who is trying to change his image into a more consensus oriented politician. (For what it is worth Hasner, one of the most partisan legislators when he served tried to change his image this past year when he ran for Congress. The attempt at a makeover did not fool the voters.)

As far as avoiding corruption scandals, almost nobody on the list is entirely free of them, but today unfortunately a certain acceptance of corruption among Republican politicians seems to be an accepted fact. But no one mentioned has anywhere near the baggage Carroll ended up accumulating and nowhere near the baggage potential Democratic nominee former Governor Charlie Crist has so Scott may be safe with any of these picks.