Phil Ammann
Where is Rick Scott running?
Scott continues to raise campaign cash as the Florida Chamber of Commerce gave $400,000 to the political action committee controlled by the Republican governor, one of the largest contributions ever from the group.
Bill Day’s latest asks an obvious question: Why?
If anything, “Let’s Get to Work” has been – in the words of Matt Dixon of POLITICO – prolific.
During Scott’s successful 2014 re-election effort, “Work” broke records for Florida fundraising, remaining very active since. For example, the committee was behind a series of 30-second post-election ads – the first for a sitting governor – to outline Scott’s legislative agenda.
Now, with more than two years left in office and prohibited from seeking re-election, the governor has spent millions in 2015 on a broad range of political services: advertising, consulting and fundraising.
Sure looks like Scott is campaigning – but for what?
“Governor Scott continues to champion private sector job creation, and we intend to invest more than we ever have this election cycle to elect pro-jobs candidates,” said Florida Chamber Communications Director Edie Ousley, who told POLITICO the $400,000 check is part of a larger campaign strategy (about $2 million) supporting Scott.
That may be fine, but when the state’s largest trade organization gives a political organization one of the biggest checks in its history – especially to someone who isn’t “running” for anything — it raises more than a few eyebrows.
Although Scott has shrugged off direct questions about his political future, many politicos have speculated on a possible U.S. Senate run for Democrat Bill Nelson’s seat.
For his part, Nelson indicated he would probably run again in 2018. Nevertheless, in the world of politics, two years is a lifetime (make that several lifetimes); so it is anyone’s guess what will happen – at least for now.
Until then, there is one thing we can expect: Scott’s checks will keep rolling in.
