Fresh off an endorsement from the Florida Chamber of Commerce and new of financial support  from the U.S. chamber, Attorney General Bill McCollum on Thursday night won the race for governor in a straw poll conducted by the Tampa Chamber of Commerce at its 2010 Political Hob Nob. The event drew well over 350 people and more than 50 candidates. Nearly 250 voted in the straw poll, using ballots that included candidates from all parties. McCollum received 39.7 percent of the vote. In second place was CFO Alex Sink with 28.8 percent.

Other results of note: Marco Rubio won in the U.S. Senate race: Gus Bilirakis and Kathy Castor won their congressional races; Pam Bondi won in the attorney general's race; Kevin Ambler defeated Jim Norman in the race for the District 12 state Senate seat; Irene Guy won in the District 47 state House seat; Dana Young won in the District 57 state House race; and Shawn Harrison won the District 60 state House race.