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Governor Rick Scott cancelled his scheduled events this afternoon to fly to Kansas City to be with his mother, Esther. She is battling an infection and is intensive care., Scott speaks often of his mother and may owe his election to a compelling television commercial in which she appeared during the 2010 campaign.

Esther Scott was at her son’s side the day he became Florida’s 45th Governor.

“I’m so proud of you. I love you.” she said moments after he took the oath of office.

Now he is at her side in a Kansas City hospital. Scott cancelled his schedule to fly to her bedside, tweeting a message seeking prayers for her before leaving.

The fact Scott even became the 45th Governor is due in part to this commercial that he spent millions airing.

“Rick was raised in public housing” his mother intoned as a picture of young Rick flashed on the screen. Until this spot, Democrats were gaining traction by hammering the former health care executive accusing him of fraud. Esther Scott changed the dynamic.

“He’s a good boy. He’ll get Florida back to work” she concluded in a friendly, yet confident manner that only a mom can have. Republican Party of Florida Chairman Lenny Curry says the spot was important in the race. “Her commercial resonated with voters. And its easy to see why if you know her. I spent some time with her at the convention and prior to that. She’s sharp as a tack and just good with people, and cares about people. And she raised a great son, and she demonstrated that in the commercial” says Curry.

Since being elected, Scott speaks frequently of his mother…from this prayer service in May when he told the audience “She made me go to church a lot. She told me when I was in Methodist Youth Fellowship in seventh grade to quit singing. I still remember that, and I bring that up to her often.” the comment drew laughter.

She was on the Governor’s mind at a literary event in August when he said “My mom pushed me top read all the time. It paid off.” First Lady Ann Scott lost her Father in January and her mother early last month.