Sen. Rick Scott of Florida announced Wednesday that he is jumping into the race to succeed Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell after he leaves the post later this year.
The Wall Street Journal first reported Scott’s plans, which he later shared publicly in a post on X.
He said in a letter to colleagues obtained by NBC News that his bid to become Republican leader stemmed from the belief that “now is a moment when we need dramatic change.”
“I believe our voters want us to use this leadership election to make a choice to overthrow the status quo in Washington,” Scott wrote.
Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, a former Miami-area congresswoman and leading Democrat who fought to oust Scott in November, quickly criticized Scott’s bid for Senate leadership in a statement, saying he would be “selfish” and ” a disaster for Americans” if he became Senate Majority Leader.
Scott is in a competitive race to take over from McConnell, who will have served a record 18 years in the role when he steps down after the election of his successor. Other contenders for the role include Senate Minority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., and Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, the former whip. Other candidates can still bid for the post, as voting will not take place until after the November election.
Scott previously challenged McConnell with a run for Republican leader in 2022, but was defeated when Senate Republicans re-elected McConnell to the post.
Scott, a former two-term governor of Florida, was elected to the Senate in 2018. He also chaired the National Republican Senate Committee during the 2022 cycle, which fell short of the party’s expectations when Republicans failed to gain the one seat it needed. control of the upper room. He was succeeded by Senator Steve Daines, who has led the group since 2023.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
