Ryan Nicol
Republican Gov. Rick Scott‘s latest ad reflects on his response to Hurricane Irma as it struck Florida last year.
Scott is currently challenging Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson for his U.S. Senate seat.
The 30-second spot, “Leadership,” is replete with clips of new anchors highlighting the danger of the storm, along with Scott’s warnings issued to residents as the storm closed in.
Indeed, Scott was consistent in ringing the alarm bell pre-Irma, calling the Hurricane “the most catastrophic storm the state has ever seen.”
The Scott campaign also highlighted comments from sheriffs across the state praising Scott for his response to the storm.
“I know I’ll never forget the amazing response from Governor Scott before, during, and after Hurricane Irma,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.
“That was a tough storm for us and Governor Scott was with us, in the trenches, and leading from the front. That’s the kind of leadership and compassion we expect from our elected officials. Gov. Scott is the real deal.”
“During last year‘s active hurricane season, [Gov. Scott] stayed in constant communication with all sheriffs on the treasure coast and was here in our emergency operation center to make sure we had all the assets that we needed,” added Martin County Sheriff William Snyder.
“I have no doubt that when Gov. Scott gets to Washington, he will continue to make the safety of Florida families and visitors his first priority.”
However, Scott also earned some criticism over decisions he made regarding debris removal in the Florida Keys.
An investigation by CBS4 News in Miami found Scott cost the state between $28 and $20 million dollars by issuing emergency contracts for debris removal after the storm.
More than $43 million in invoices were submitted for that work, according to CBS4 News. Meanwhile, Scott ignored contracts already in place for debris removal. Those companies could have performed the same work for as little as $13 million, according to the investigation.
Monroe County Mayor George Nugent, a Republican, called Scott’s actions “price gouging.”
