A.G. Gancarski
The man who challenged U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell for leadership of the Republican Senate caucus in 2022 sees renewed opportunity now that the Kentucky warhorse has said he’s not going to pursue leadership after the 2024 election.
But Rick Scott is not directly saying whether he would run for the top spot in the Senate GOP if re-elected this November.
The Senator from Naples told Florida Politics his thoughts hours after reports came out that 2024 would be McConnell’s last year leading Senate Republicans.
“I have been very clear and have long believed that we need new leadership in the Senate that represents our voters and the issues we were sent here to fight for. As everyone knows, I challenged Leader McConnell last year. This is an opportunity to refocus our efforts on solving the significant challenges facing our country and actually reflect the aspirations of voters,” Scott said.
He stopped short of saying he would make a second try at leading the caucus, and did not offer any sort of reflections on whether or not his challenge to McConnell, which was heavily criticized at the time, was vindicated retrospectively.
Last Fall, Scott said part of the reason he lost was that the vote was “rushed” to happen shortly after the Midterm Elections, in which the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) he chaired during the 2022 cycle underperformed. Scott’s promise to flip the Senate Republican as head of the NRSC went unfulfilled, and the Florida Senator mustered just 10 votes in an ill-fated leadership challenge to McConnell.
“So the next election won’t be until it should be, January ’25. They rushed it this last time when I ran against him. So that’s when the next election should be,” Scott said during a call with Florida Republicans.
“He’s not suggested he’s going to leave. If he decides not to leave, then the next (Senate leadership) election will be after the ’24 elections.”
Scott then explained Kentucky election law like he’s given it some thought.
“My understanding is that under Kentucky law … if he decided to step down as a Senator, now, he could step down as a Republican leader and remain in the Senate. But if you decide to step down as a Senator, then the Legislature gives the Governor three names of people from the same party of the person leaving,” Scott said, noting that a Democrat is Governor for the moment.
During an appearance in January 2023 on The Charlie Kirk Show, Scott did not say no when asked about the potential of becoming “Senate leader, through raising money, messaging” and if it was “something (he) was still going to go after in the next year and a half, two years.”
“Absolutely. I’m not giving up,” Scott said. “Charlie, I’m not giving up.”
This time around, if Scott runs, expect him to face a crowded field. Whether that’s to his advantage or not remains to be seen.
19 comments
AlexZ
February 28, 2024 at 3:03 pm
Oh. More suspense. Practically a thriller.
Howler Monkey Call
February 28, 2024 at 3:18 pm
It will be interesting to see if the picture of Scott will trigger the monkeys like DeSantis does.
Dont Say FLA
February 28, 2024 at 3:29 pm
Hey did you hear? House GOP impeached Mayorkas!
Michael K
February 28, 2024 at 4:59 pm
Yes, Ms. Always Changing the Subject Pooshaw.
ScienceBLVR
February 28, 2024 at 4:01 pm
Rick Scott, white collar criminal, enemy of the people. My grandchildren still think he’s creepy going back to his “Skelator” governor days. And I really don’t think he is very well liked or respected in the Senate, either. Dogs hate him too.. Next!
Biscuit
February 28, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Can’t stand him.
Arf.
MH/Duuuval
February 28, 2024 at 10:31 pm
It’s his personal fortune against our collective fortunes.
We can knock this guy out of the box in November and get someone in the Senate to speak for vulnerable Floridians.
Michael K
February 28, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Can’t wait to see Rick unveil his plan to wind down Social Security and Medicare. Again.
Mayorkas Impeached
February 28, 2024 at 8:44 pm
There it is Michael K with one of the Demo”s favorite talking points. By the way looks like Slow Joe is going to the Southern Border. Suddenly he and his laughing hyena Border Czar are now interested.
Michael K
February 28, 2024 at 9:39 pm
Yes, that liberal howling monkey Mitch McConnell soundly criticized Scott’s plan to sunset both programs back in 2023.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/mcconnell-knocks-gop-sen-rick-scotts-plan-sunset-federal-programs-spar-rcna70065
Dont Say FLA
February 29, 2024 at 9:27 am
There’s a Rhonda staff meeting this morning with the “no laptops” rule in effect, so I have been asked to proxy for VD/MI. Here it goes. Apologies in advance.
NBC? State Run Media propaganda proves nothing you mindless dolt who flings feces and howls at the moon. Sleepy Uncle Joe sniffs you in your dreams.
Putins Middle Finger
March 6, 2024 at 5:19 am
We are watching. Ever since we partnered with Iran you infedels have made Fools of yourself.
We know Rick has a pair of white boots. Message received.
We will now plant more Republican 3-ways and eventually flood the House of Sin in Merry Lardo.
Идите на хуй, неудачники
MH/Duuuval
February 28, 2024 at 10:26 pm
For VD, wherever they are bunking: This is Florida’s new definition of “freedom” — the freedom to spread communicable diseases. Measles, syphillis, COVID — whatever you got, come on down.
MH/Duuuval
February 29, 2024 at 9:48 am
While DJT is at the border, perhaps he could find the parents of 2000 migrant children who remain in US. custody. (Family separation is one of MAGA’s bragging points.)
Impeach Biden
February 29, 2024 at 11:08 am
Why don’t you do something for your country instead of pounding on your keyboard. Slo Joe going to the border today. Hilarious!! Suddenly he and the so called Border Czar are now interested.
LEO
March 7, 2024 at 8:13 am
MH/DUUUVAL, UN*BE*KNOWNST TO YOU ( BIG MOUTH ) I’VE DONE THAT AL*READT. Leo
Scott’s pink slip is showing
February 29, 2024 at 5:05 am
Shhhhh—-the last known grown up in the G0P just announced he’s being discharged from the asylum…Meanwhile Scott has made a career off being tone deaf and pathologically unaccountable even to his own party. He’s all dressed up in his ermine and pearls thinking he’s going to a tea party, but it’s a drag race, baby, and they’re stealing his slip.
LEO
March 7, 2024 at 7:36 am
I RESEARCH POLITICAL BACK GROUND CHECK’S OF INCUMBENT”S & NEW*COMER’S VY*ING, , IN RIVALRY FOR THE SAME POSITION’S IN CONGRESS, & ACROSS STATES( AS A MEAN’S TO & END ) FOR TRANSPERANCY, AS BEST I COULD, FOR THE RESOLVE OF OUR CITIZENRY & REPUBLIC. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE A STANDARD CRITERIA FOR ALL PUBLIC SERVICE APPLICANT’S, RUNNING FOR POLITICAL OFFICE”S..
Leo Stokoe
March 7, 2024 at 7:39 am
COMMENT’S ABOVE .
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