Rick Scott hasn’t endorsed in GOP primary but he just campaigned with Adam Putnam

Gov. Rick Scott has remained on the sidelines in the Republican race to replace him. He hasn't backed his co-cabinet member (Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam) or President Donald Trump's top choice (U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis).

But on Thursday, Scott and Putnam campaigned at a small business in Longwood, the first time the two have appeared together on the campaign trail since April.

The joint appearance was quickly promoted by Putnam's campaign. They sent out a press release with a glowing quote from Scott about Putnam's efforts to help the citrus industry after Hurricane Irma. Putnam tweeted photos from the event, as did his campaign Twitter account.

Neither campaign provided any advanced notice of the combined campaign stop. Scott's schedule included the visit to Longwood but didn't mention Putnam would be there. Meanwhile, Putnam's campaign publicized a Lake City breakfast with supporters earlier that day, but nothing scheduled in Longwood, which is more than 160 miles away.

"Adam Putnam was honored to join Governor Scott on the campaign trail," Putnam spokeswoman Meredith Beatrice said.

For his part, Scott didn't tweet any photos with Putnam from Thursday. A spokeswoman for Scott didn't immediately respond to a question about the significance of appearing with Putnam.

With less than two weeks until the Republican primary, most polls show Putnam trailing DeSantis. But Putnam has not shown any signs of going down without a fight. He continues to bombard the airwaves with ads, including ones critical of DeSantis, and he is in the middle of a 10-day bus tour across the state. On Friday, he was in Winter Park.

DeSantis is spending Friday in Puerto Rico.

Putnam has the endorsement of another cabinet member, Attorney General Pam Bondi. Like Scott, Bondi is a close ally of the president, but nevertheless chose to back Putnam over DeSantis.

MORE ON PUTNAM: How Adam Putnam turned his agriculture roots into a political machine

Scott, though, has avoided weighing in. Is it just a coincidence he and Putnam appeared side-by-side just 12 days before the election? Or is there more to it?

Putnam's campaign referred questions to Scott's campaign. Scott's campaign didn't respond to a message.

UPDATE: Scott spokeswoman Lauren Schenone reaffirmed that Scott isn't making an endorsement.

"The governor has not endorsed in this race and welcomes elected officials to his events across the state," Schenone said.