Senator Rick Scott has run for Republican leader before, and there’s every indication he is angling to do it again.
Scott told conservative commentator Charlie Kirk he was “seriously considering” a bid to succeed Mitch McConnell. He met with Donald Trump this week (but told reporters, “We just talked about how we’re both going to win our races”) and had a phone call with the former president after McConnell announced he’d be stepping down as the minority leader. His House allies, like Rep. Matt Gaetz, are already boosting the prospect.
Scott was the only senator to challenge McConnell’s leadership in 2022, picking up 10 votes — a considerable showing in a Senate conference largely loyal to its leadership. But as McConnell steps aside, Scott’s previous supporters in the Senate say they are keeping their options open.