Ryan Nicol
A new ad by Senate Majority PAC (SMP) is hammering Gov. Rick Scott‘s record on health care, while claiming incumbent Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson is the right choice in the 2018 race for U.S. Senate.
SMP is a partisan group that aims to elect Democrats to the Senate. Its 30-second ad features Dr. David Woolsey, identified in the ad as a Florida ER doctor. Online records show he’s an internist affiliated with Miami Veterans Affairs Healthcare System.
“We’ve got an opioid crisis, a doctor shortage, seniors struggling to pay for care,” Woolsey says.
“But even with all that, Rick Scott vetoed millions in healthcare funds and refused federal funds that would’ve covered 750,000 Floridians.”
Woolsey then praises Nelson’s efforts, advocating for the Democrat to hold his Senate seat.
“Bill Nelson took on insurance companies, forcing them to cover people with pre-existing conditions. And he’s working to lower costs and get more people covered – not less.”
Woolsey adds, “That’s the difference. Scott puts insurance companies first. Bill Nelson puts Florida first.”
The Rick Scott campaign hit back at the ad in a statement. “Outside democratic groups can keep trying to paint a picture of Bill Nelson as a champion for healthcare in Florida, but ultimately, Nelson’s actions speak louder than words,” said Scott campaign Press Secretary Lauren Schenone.
“Bill Nelson continues to talk a lot about the issues without taking real action to fix anything. This misleading ad is only the latest disappointing example of Bill Nelson caring more about what he says than what he actually does for our state.”
The ad will be aired statewide. Chris Hayden, spokesperson for SMP, also added a statement criticizing Scott’s record.
“A governor who badly managed Florida’s health care system cannot be trusted to represent Florida in the United States Senate,” said Hayden.
“The only candidate in this race who has continuously stood up to the insurance companies and fought for coverage for all Floridians is Bill Nelson, and he is the only candidate that will always put Florida first.”
It’s no surprise a PAC designed to support Democrats is supporting the Democrat in this race. Voters have been more conflicted, with polls showing the two candidates switching spots in the lead.
RealClearPolitics, a site which aggregates available polling, gives Scott a two-point edge in the race overall.
