Charlie Dean picked up the endorsement of the Associated Industries of Florida Service Corporation on Friday, while Dennis Baxley blasted Dean for conspiring with the trial lawyers on a "smear" attack.

"Charles Dean's trial lawyer friends lie about Baxley - again!" declared a news release from Baxley's campaign. A mailer put out by Conservative Citizens for Justice asserts that Baxley's funeral business had been been slapped with violations and that Baxley had tried to change laws to benefit the business. "It shows a desperate move on the part of those affiliated with the Dean campaign to be hitting below the belt," Baxley said in an interview. Dean's campaign denied any conspiracy.

In endorsing Dean, AIF president Barney Bishop said: "Dean’s sharp attention to the needs of his constituents, including those in the business community, makes him the best choice for this race. He has worked hard to ensure billions of dollars in tax cuts and insurance-rate relief, as well as provided staunch support for tort reform, all for an improved quality of life for Floridians."

Left unsaid was Baxley sponsored the guns-to-work bill that would have penalized businesses that restrict employees from bringing weapons with them and leaving them locked in their cars.