Florida, Already Badgered by Storms, Is Now Inundated by Storm Politics

The Senate candidates are refocusing their campaigns in the closing weeks around the response to Helene, with another major hurricane likely on the way.

Hurricane Milton
Mike Carlson/AP

Florida politicians, still dealing with the aftermath of the last hurricane, are now preparing for a potentially catastrophic storm just weeks out from Election Day.

Across parties, they’re seeking political advantage.

“Another hurricane, more devastation and Rick Scott is only making it worse,” Democratic Senate candidate Debbie Mucarsel-Powell said in a new ad dropped shortly after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida on Sept. 26. “Rick Scott sold us out, and now your property insurance bill is four times the national average.”