Gingrich says Florida GOPers would be strong vice presidential candidates

Florida has a handful of potential contenders for the No. 2 spot on the 2012 Republican presidential ticket, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (Ga.) said Thursday night.

In remarks at the Palm Beach County GOP Lincoln dinner, Gingrich said Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R), Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.) would all be strong candidates.

“Florida has two, and maybe three, potential vice presidential candidates right now, maybe four if you count Jeb Bush,” Gingrich added, according to The Palm Beach Post.

Mentioning vice presidential candidates from Florida might be a sign that Gingrich is thinking about winning valuable swing states in his own presidential bid.

He has said he will formally announce whether he plans to run in the coming weeks.

Either way, several potential Republican candidates have decided not to get in the race. Earlier this week Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) announced he would not run, though he left open the door for 2016.