Gov. Rick Scott wasted no time this morning bemoaning the loss of Senate President Mike Haridopolos from the U.S. Senate Republican primary.

Haridopolos said he was dropping out to focus on his job in the state Legislature. But he's had a tough go on the campaign trail, repeatedly facing questions about $2 billion in tax and fee increases he voted for in 2009 and a sweet deal he received from Brevard Community College to write a legislative history book.

Scott, who recently hired Haridopolos' chief of staff, is in Montana on vacation but his press shop released this statement:

“I was surprised by Mike Haridopolos’ announcement today.  Anytime a statewide race loses a principled conservative like Mike Haridopolos in a race of this importance, it is a sad day for our state.  He was a great help to me during the legislative session as we put steps in place to turn Florida’s economy around and get Floridians back to work.  I look forward to his continued leadership during the upcoming legislative session.”