Florida Sen. Rick Scott seeks reelection with an eye toward top GOP leadership post

Republican U.S. Sen. Rick Scott is hoping a reelection triumph could position him for a Senate activity role

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Republican U.S. Sen. Rick Scott is hoping being reelected to a 2nd word will put him successful a position to gain a Senate activity role, while erstwhile Democratic U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell seeks an upset triumph that could thief her statement support its razor-thin power of nan chamber.

Scott hopes to win U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who is stepping down arsenic nan GOP leader. A triumph for him would besides reaffirm nan spot of nan Republican Party successful nan authorities contempt ballot measures connected abortion rights and recreational marijuana l egalization that Democrats dream will thrust up turnout.

Mucarsel-Powell is moving 2 years aft Democrats mislaid each 5 statewide seats connected nan ballot successful Republican landslides. She was elected to correspond a Miami territory successful 2018 and was nan first Ecuadorian American and South American-born legislature member. She mislaid her reelection to U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez successful 2020.

Scott has a ample fundraising advantage, including millions of his individual wealthiness he's pumped into nan campaign, successful a authorities that has shifted much firmly Republican. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee insists Scott is vulnerable, but nationalist Democrats were slow to put successful Florida, 1 of nan astir costly states to bargain run ads.

Scott needed a recount to triumph his first Senate election, but that was erstwhile Democrats had an advantage successful elector registration. This year, Republicans outnumber Democrats by astir a cardinal voters, and Scott’s triumph came 2 years aft Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio won successful landslides.

Murcarsel-Powell is hoping Vice President Kamala Harris lifts her and different Democrats connected nan ballot.

This year, Scott besides is facing dents successful his governmental resume, including his nonaccomplishment to gain a GOP mostly 2 years agone aft starring nan National Republican Senatorial Committee and his losing situation to upend McConnell from Senate activity successful a 37-10 vote. He besides was nationally criticized by some Democrats and Republicans for a connection he had to sunset national programs each 5 years, which initially had nary exceptions for celebrated entitlement programs specified arsenic Medicare and Social Security.

Scott has focused his connection connected nan system and rising family prices during President Joe Biden's administration. He besides has spent months supporting erstwhile President Donald Trump connected nan run trail, contempt it taking him astir a twelvemonth aft Trump announced his run to endorse him.