McCollum endorses Rick Scott for governor

Attorney General Bill McCollum, left, and Rick Scott, right, square off in a Governor's candidate debate as Fox News' John Wilson moderates, Thursday, Aug. 5, 2010 in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken, Pool)

Less than two weeks before election day, Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum, who was ousted by Naples businessman Rick Scott in the Republican primary, has released a statement on his website expressing his support for Scott's candidacy for governor.

“Florida is facing a critical time," McCollum wrote. "Our state needs conservative leaders who will grow our economy and create jobs. We need merit pay and an end to teacher tenure in our public schools, major litigation reform, smaller government, low taxes and a repeal of Obamacare. With this in mind, I will cast my vote for Rick Scott for Governor. It’s the better choice for Florida.”

Most of the Republican establishment backed McCollum during the primary, but party big-wigs have since thrown their support to Scott. Until Friday, McCollum had been a hold out, saying after his August defeat that he had "serious questions" about Scott's character, integrity and honesty.

McCollum and Scott traded barbs for months, with McCollum accusing Scott of lying about his record and trying to buy the election.

However, in early October the Associated Press reported that McCollum was leaning toward supporting Scott. He said he would not, under any circumstances, vote for Democratic nominee Alex Sink.