GOP Senator Announces Bid for Mitch McConnell’s Leadership Role

Senator Rick Scott announced his bid to unseat Mitch McConnell as Senate Minority Leader.

“Scott, R-Fla., the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), has been at odds with McConnell. R-Ky., for most of this year over political strategy,” Fox News reports.

Scott confirmed his intentions on Tuesday during a closed-door GOP lunch.

“The status quo is broken and big change is needed. It’s time for new leadership in the Senate that unites Republicans to advance a bold conservative agenda,” Scott tweeted.

The status quo is broken and big change is needed. It's time for new leadership in the Senate that unites Republicans to advance a bold conservative agenda.

That's why I'm running to be the Senate Republican Leader.https://t.co/B0rdMuR64Z

— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) November 15, 2022

NEWS: Sen. Rick Scott just announced a challenge to McConnell in closed-door GOP lunch https://t.co/EVs2IP0tQb

— Burgess Everett (@burgessev) November 15, 2022

“I’m writing to you today because I believe it’s time for the Senate Republican Conference to be far more bold and resolute than we have been in the past. We must start saying what we are for, not just what we are against,” Scott said in a letter to GOP colleagues.

“I do not believe we can simply continue to say the Democrats are radical, which they are. Republican voters expect and deserve to know our plan to promote and advance conservative values. ”

Scott added: “For those who want to get serious about ending reckless government spending and the devastating inflation it has caused, finally take action to protect Social Security and Medicare and preserve the promise of these programs for our children and grandchildren, hold government accountable from the FBI to the IRS, truly combat the extreme danger posed by Communist China and refocus our military on lethal defense instead of woke nonsense, I ask for your support in changing the direction of the Senate and rescuing America from the dangerous path Democrats have set it on.”

Fox News reported:

McConnell brushed off Scott’s challenge in comments to reporters Tuesday.

“I have the votes. I will be elected,” he said.

McConnell acknowledged that several of his members are calling on leadership elections to be delayed. But he said he will have the votes to be elected party leader whether it’s held Wednesday as scheduled or another time.

McConnell allies, meanwhile, ridiculed Scott for challenging McConnell after a cycle in which he oversaw the NRSC, but Republicans overall were unsuccessful.

“Every Republican was attacked for his plan to cut Social Security and Medicare… Now he’s doubling down. Nobody loves this more than Democrats,” GOP strategist and McConnell alum John Ashbrook tweeted. “Nobody loves this more than Democrats.”

If McConnell wins re-election to his post, he would become the longest-serving party leader in the history of the Senate.

After disappointing elections for Republicans in which they failed to take the majority from Democrats, Scott has been one of the loudest voices calling for Senate leadership elections to be delayed recently.

Politico added:

Those gripes are coming to a head with Scott’s challenge, which follows his stewardship of the Senate GOP’s campaign arm in a cycle that could end with Republicans losing a seat. Scott, who former President Donald Trump nudged to mount the opposition bid, was at odds with McConnell over strategy and tactics for months before Election Day.

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Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), a McConnell ally, said that Scott will likely accrue votes “in the high single-digits” and said GOP leaders have the votes to move the leadership elections forward on Wednesday.

During Tuesday’s meeting, some senators questioned the financial acumen of the National Republican Senatorial Committee under Scott. Others complained about not having a more positive agenda.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) spoke so loudly he could be heard through the door of the private room, and attendees estimated Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) spoke for roughly half an hour.

“It was like Festivus from Seinfeld. The airing of grievances. But the reality is, Mitch McConnell has done quite an extraordinary job,” said Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah), citing tax reform, conservative judges and McConnell’s fundraising.

Scott introduced his own agenda earlier this year, which McConnell quickly criticized for including tax increases and sunsetting popular safety net programs. The Floridian did not join other party leaders at a press conference Tuesday after the conference lunch but wrote to his colleagues in a letter that the GOP has “to be far more bold and resolute than we have been in the past.”

“I understand that I won’t gain the support of every member of our Conference, but we all have a clear choice to make. If you simply want to stick with the status quo, don’t vote for me,” Scott said in the message to colleagues announcing his bid.