Rick Scott: Donald Trump presidency will be ‘really good for our state’

Then Florida Gov. Rick Scott participates in a panel discussion during the Republican Governors Association annual conference Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Chase Stevens)

Gov. Rick Scott said attending his first presidential inauguration was an exciting event, but is ready to get back to work on issues important to Floridians.

“I think it’s going to be really good for our state,” said Scott after a jobs announcement in Naples on Monday. “I’m going to do whatever I can to make sure this is the state that everyone wants to live in, make you you can get a good job, get your kids a good education and be safe.”

Scott was one of dozens of Floridians who attended President Donald Trump’s inauguration on Friday. A longtime friend of the New York Republican, Scott penned an editorial early in Trump’s campaign lauding Trump. He endorsed him immediately after the Florida’s presidential primary, and went on to become the chairman of a super PAC backing Trump’s presidential bid.

The Naples Republican spent much of last week in Washington, D.C., meeting with Trump transition officials and congressional Republicans. Scott and his wife, First Lady Ann Scott, even hosted an inaugural ball.

“It was exciting. This was the first presidential inauguration I ever attended,” said Scott, who is believed to be considering a 2018 U.S. Senate bid. “Trump has been a friend for 20 years; Mike Pence has been a very good friend.”

An ardent supporter of the new president, Scott said he thinks Trump “is going to do what we’ve done” when it comes to jobs and the economy. He said he looks forward to working with the Trump administration to “repeal and replace Obamacare.”

And while Scott might not have agreed with the thousands upon thousands of people across the country who marched in opposition of Trump and his policies on Saturday, he did say he thought it was “important people express their views.”

“That’s what’s great about our country, and they can do it in a non-violent manner,” he said. “I think it’s exciting people have the opportunity to go and let people know what they believe. It doesn’t matter what political party you are, get involved. Run for office, help people get elected. I think it’s important to be active, it’s important for our country.”