As part of his efforts to get reelected to the U.S. Senate next year, Republican Rick Scott unveiled his National Finance Committee Wednesday, featuring a number of current and former GOP lawmakers such as Jeb Bush and Newt Gingrich.
(Jeb Bush is a former Florida governor; Gingrich is a former U.S. House Speaker.)
Other prominent Republicans serving as Scott’s “honorary” finance co-chairs include current U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio, Utah’s Mike Lee and Wisconsin’s Ron Johnson. Former Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry fill out that list.
In a press release, Scott said that he is the top enemy of national Democrats going into this election cycle.
“They are going to spend millions upon millions to air false attacks and lies against me,” Scott said in the release. “I’ve been traveling the state meeting with Floridians on my 67 Counties Sunshine Tour, and I’ve been working hard to raise money so we have the resources to counter Democrats’ phony attacks. I look forward to continuing to fight for Florida families in the U.S Senate and appreciate everyone on my finance team who will help ensure we keep the Democrats failed socialist policies out of Florida.”
According to his latest campaign finance report filed, Scott has nearly $3 million of cash-on-hand. Undoubtedly those figures will increase over the next year. One of the wealthiest members of Congress, Scott spent more than $63 million of his own money and nearly $83 million overall to win the seat over Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson in 2018.
Mel Sembler of St. Petersburg and a former ambassador to Australia under former President George H.W. Bush and ambassador to Italy under President George W. Bush heads the list of national finance co-chairs for Scott. All told there are more than 50 Republicans listed as finance chairs of some type, including former Florida House Speaker Will Weatherford and Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos, both of whom served in those roles when Scott was governor.
Retired Navy veteran Phil Ehr and former Congressman Alan Grayson are the two most prominent Democrats who have filed to challenge Scott in 2024, though speculation persists that there will be other Democrats getting into the contest.
–Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix
What Else Is New says
Hmm. We’re talking about Rick, pled the fifth 72 times for Medicare fraud, Scott. This is the Rick Scott who in 2011 vetoed spending for conservation lands, signed bills rolling back state oversight of local development decisions, cut state regulations and slashed the budgets of Florida’s five water management districts. Why did Floridians vote for him to serve in the United States Senate? Maybe they just didn’t care. Perhaps they were not interested in being informed. He had name recognition. Folks, please care about your country. Inform yourself by reading and investigating issues held by this well known individual. You will come to realize he is a grifter.
Deborah Coffey says
Also, let’s remember that his plan, which he put in writing to the abhorrence of Mitch McConnell, is to get rid of Social Security and Medicare.
Tom Hutson says
This low life dirtbag is the lowest minion in government. His claim to fame is he is in the 1% category and that gives them a bad name. Enough said.
Claud Hopper says
I am shocked!!!!!
Because he always speaks well of you.
richard says
es, indeed. It is good ol’ Rick, who pled the fifth 72 times for Medicare fraud, Scott. Great Scott! He’s running again. And now, he has bought into the mantra of “fake news, false accusations against me”, the usual deflection of GOP grifters in the Trump Era.
But do the Democrats have anyone to go up against him, a person who can actually win? Having DeSantis, Rubio, and Scott at the helm makes for the very nasty and grifty Florida that we are living with these days. “Is there no balm in Gilead?”
Dennis C Rathsam says
You yall should choose Dianne Roberts, I love to see her run somthing besides her mouth!
Tony Mack says
Might try one of these guys —
Phil Ehr for Senate
Commander, U.S. Navy (Ret.), democracy defender, and FL U.S. Senate candidate
or
David Jolly — former Republican House Member
richard says
Diane seems to have gotten under YOUR skin, Dennis. That means that her barbs have found their mark. She knows the Great State of Fraudula’s politicians all too well — better than the gullible mudsills, the voting public, that keeps electing them. Faites attention, Monsieur, and vote for someone who won’t pick your pocket.
Pogo says
@You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xcb4_QwP6fE
floriduh — where scum comes to float
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=rick+scott+depositions
Laurel says
Jolly is a good choice.
Bill C says
How about Val Demings? She would be great if she ran. No more Charlie Crist please.