Rick Scott touts hurricane record in latest statewide ad
Screenshot via Rick Scott's "Leadership ad.

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'I can tell you he’s the first phone call we always get.'

A new statewide ad spotlights U.S. Sen. Rick Scott’s leadership during hurricanes over the past decade. It hits TV airwaves Monday, as Florida still recovers from Hurricane Milton.

The 30-second ad, titled “Leadership,” features several Florida Sheriffs touting Scott’s work. Many of those clips appeared in a prior ad produced after Hurricane Helene, and include words of praise from law enforcement leaders Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister, Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook, Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno and Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay.

This new ad also includes testimony from Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco.

“Sen. Scott’s calling before, during after,” Ramsay says at the opening of the ad.

“I can tell you he’s the first phone call we always get,” Nocco says. “If there’s a hurricane, if there’s an issue that goes on.”

Interspersed between the testimonials are still pictures and video of Scott in the midst of storm response, often walking alongside law enforcement as he surveys impacts from the storm and wearing a signature Navy ball cap.

The ad also includes footage of Scott at a press conference earlier this year receiving the endorsement of most of Florida’s Sheriffs. The top cops for 60 of Florida’s 67 counties have now endorsed the Naples Republican’s re-election.

Scott has held statewide office through a number of hurricanes, over two terms as Florida Governor and one term as U.S. Senator. He gave President Joe Biden a briefing in Florida regarding the impact of Hurricane Helene earlier this month.

The ad is part of a $10 million buy announced earlier this month and will play for voters as many are already submitting vote-by-mail ballots. Scott faces Democratic challenger Debbie Mucarsel-Powell in the Nov. 5 General Election.

The state has endured three major hurricanes in as many months, with Hurricane Debby making landfall in Steinhatchee on Aug. 5, Helene landing on Sept. 26 and Milton striking on Oct. 9.

Jacob Ogles

Jacob Ogles has covered politics in Florida since 2000 for regional outlets including SRQ Magazine in Sarasota, The News-Press in Fort Myers and The Daily Commercial in Leesburg. His work has appeared nationally in The Advocate, Wired and other publications. Events like SRQ’s Where The Votes Are workshops made Ogles one of Southwest Florida’s most respected political analysts, and outlets like WWSB ABC 7 and WSRQ Sarasota have featured his insights. He can be reached at [email protected].


2 comments

  • ScienceBLVR

    October 14, 2024 at 9:55 am

    Again with the politicians soaking up the limelight and trying to appear altruistic. Just put that Navy hat on and pretend you are doing something besides getting your mug on the evil media you whine about.
    Was thinking today of the first vote I cast for President – Jimmy Carter- now there’s a leader who got his hands dirty building homes for people he didn’t even know. Can’t recall him vamping for media attention like Slick Rick. Ok there was that Playboy interview..

    • 60 minutes is fake

      October 14, 2024 at 12:44 pm

      Jimmy Carter? Hilarious. He got run over by Ronald Reagan after his first term. Nice guy but soft, and double digit inflation / interest rates did not help him. Sound familiar?

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