Winner of the week: Tom Lee. The former Senate president from Brandon could face a tough race against state Rep. Rachel Burgin to succeed Ronda Storms in the Senate. But on Friday Senate President-designate Don Gaetz endorsed Lee, as did Majority Leader Andy Gardiner, sending a powerful signal to the lobbyists and donors (who Lee so often criticized) where senate leaders want them to funnel money.

Loser of the week: Keith Fitzgerald. The Sarasota Democrat poses a real threat to U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, who is engulfed in assorted campaign finance and ethics investigations. But last week Fitzgerald received a jolting reminder of how tough it can be to take on a multimillionaire like Buchanan: The incumbent reserved $4 million in TV time in the Tampa Bay area for late summer and fall. It doesnt mean Buchanan will actually spend $4-million on TV, but there's little question he could if he wants to.