Rick Scott wins Florida’s US Senate race

Image via screengrab

By Giselle Balido

November 5, 2024

Scott – a Donald Trump loyalist – supports Florida’s six-week abortion ban, has voted against stricter gun safety laws, and has long minimized the impact of climate change.

In one of Florida’s most closely watched contests of the 2024 election, Sen. Rick Scott, the Republican incumbent from Florida, will keep his seat in the US Senate, the Associated Press projected on Tuesday night.

Scott currently leads his Democratic challenger, Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, 55.7% – 42.6% with 93% of the vote counted, according to the Associated Press.

The news is discouraging for Democrats, as the outcome of the election will significantly influence the balance of power in the US Senate. Democrats currently hold a slim 51-49 seat majority. Mucarsel-Powell’s win would have helped the party keep that slight advantage.

Scott – a Donald Trump loyalist – supports Florida’s six-week abortion ban, has voted against stricter gun safety laws, and has long minimized the impact of climate change.

In 2022, he proposed a plan to sunset all federal programs in five years, including Social Security and Medicare. After strong criticism from Democrats, as well as members of his own party, Scott later added an exemption for Medicare and Social Security to his plan.

After a stint in the US Navy, Scott started his business career, ultimately becoming CEO of the nation’s largest private hospital chain. He resigned from his position at Columbia/HCA before the company paid a $1.7 billion fine for Medicare fraud.

He was elected governor of Florida in 2010 and 2014, and is now a long-shot candidate in the race to replace Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell as GOP leader in the Senate.

Author

Giselle Balido

Giselle is Floricua's political correspondent. She writes about the economy, environmental and social justice, and all things Latino. A published author, Giselle was born in Havana and grew up in New Jersey and Miami. She is passionate about equality, books, and cats.

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