'Let's get Washington to work': Gov. Rick Scott challenges Bill Nelson out of the gate

Florida to be battleground for control of Congress

James Call
Tallahassee Democrat
The sine die hanky drop Sunday, March 11, 2018 marks the end of Governor Rick Scott's eighth and final legislative session.

10:38 a.m. update

Gov. Rick Scott in a button-down blue shirt and Navy ball cap waded into a crowd of supporters with the Secretary of State of Puerto Rico by his side and declared he wants to be Florida's next U.S. Senate.

"There's a lot of old tired thinking up there," said Scott in his campaign's opening statement at an Orlando construction company. "We shouldn't be sending the same old tired people to Washington."

Scott came out swinging against the three-term incumbent, 75-year old Sen. Bill Nelson, and the conventional wisdom that this is not a Republican year. He said Washington is “horribly dysfunctional,” and the change starts in Florida.

"We shouldn't be sending the same old tired people to Washington," said Scott. "We can change Washington. We must change Washington. We will change Washington. Let's get Washington to work," said Scott with a shout-out to winning his slogan during two successful gubernatorial campaigns.

Scott vs. Nelson:

Scott's candidacy makes Florida a toss-up state in the battle to control Congress, according to national pundits.

Scott is a multi-millionaire businessman who never ran for office before his successful governor's race in 2010. He campaigned as part of the tea party movement and called for massive budget and tax cuts, but was forced to scale back his plans amid opposition from the GOP-controlled Legislature. He also changed his hard-line positions on immigration.

    University of Central Florida political scientist Aubrey Jewett said Scott rode a Tea-Party wave into office and will now try to surf a potential Democratic wave to the nation’s capital.

    “There’s a confluence of issues that may work against Republicans this year,” said Jewett. “There could be a counter wave of Trump supporters, it is not as likely but then again, they weren’t expected to show up in 2016.”

    Scott is leaving office due to term limits and has been urged to challenge Nelson by President Donald Trump.

    Reaction to Gov. Rick Scott's run for the U.S. Senate.

    "I’ve always run every race like there’s no tomorrow – regardless of my opponent. While it’s clear that Rick Scott will say or do anything to get elected, I’ve always believed that if you just do the right thing, the politics will take care of itself: Sen. Bill Nelson.

    We are encouraged that pro-life Governor Rick Scott has entered the Senate race in Florida. Senator Bill Nelson has a record of abortion extremism. Earlier this year, he was a no-show for the crucial vote on popular legislation to limit late-term abortion after five months of pregnancy. He previously voted against the bill in 2015: Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser. 

    Rick Scott is a walking conflict of interest and Floridians deserve to know how he became $46 million dollars richer during his time as governor. Now, as a U.S. Senate candidate, there are a lot of questions Scott will have to answer - including how his actions in office benefitted his own investments -  Florida Democratic Party spokesman Sebastian Kitchen.

    Rick Scott launching his campaign from Orlando takes some gall –– 612 days passed between the shootings at Pulse and Parkland and Governor Scott did nothing to keep Floridians safe - Chris King, Democratic candidate for governor.


    Rick Scott was absent from Florida's schools. Absent after Pulse. Absent when the nursing homes called. How can we ever expect Rick Scott to stand up to Donald Trump: Gwen Graham, Democratic candidate for governor. 

    Since the minute he was elected governor, Rick Scott has done nothing but look out for himself. One of his first actions as governor was rolling back the progress Florida had made in restoring voting rights for so many Floridians: Sen. Oscar Braynon, D-Miami.

    It’s been a long eight years under Rick Scott — skyrocketing healthcare costs, assault weapon violence, rural communities crumbling, education funding dwindling, and civil rights being denied. Good riddance. Let’s win this one, @NelsonForSenate: Andrew Gillum, Democratic candidate for governor.