Rick Scott starts second campaign to succeed McConnell as GOP leader

Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) will launch a second run for GOP leader in the fall, according to a letter sent to his colleagues on Wednesday.

“I have decided to run for Senate Republican leader because I believe now is a moment we need dramatic change,” Scott said in the letter, obtained by the Washington Examiner. “I believe that our voters want us to use this leadership election to make a choice to upend the status quo in Washington.”

His entrance into the race to succeed Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who announced his retirement from leadership in February, gives the right flank of the conference a candidate to rally behind. Scott is up against two Republicans regarded as McConnell’s natural successors: Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-SD) and Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), a former whip.

However, Scott framed the leadership election, to be held via secret ballot, as a chance to reflect the will of voters.

Like his 2022 run for leader, Scott critiqued McConnell’s willingness to cut “backroom” deals with the Democrats and promised to lay out an affirmative agenda that can unite the conference and align its priorities with the grassroots of the party.

The emphasis follows his hands-off approach to Republican primaries last cycle, when he ran the National Republican Senatorial Committee. In that election, he criticized McConnell for not giving voters a blueprint for how the GOP would govern should they win the majority.

“I think we should be clear with what we stand for, what we stand against and what we will try to accomplish no matter how difficult the challenges are,” Scott said in the letter.

McConnell, the longest-serving party leader in Senate history, was reelected to another term despite Scott’s challenge. He won all but 10 GOP votes. This time, Scott will have to overcome the seniority of both Thune and Cornyn.

Scott, also running for reelection to the Senate in Florida, laid out a series of eight promises that reflect the common complaints of conservatives, including transparency within the conference and sufficient time and input for major pieces of legislation.

He also called for a six-year term limit for future GOP leaders, slightly longer than those imposed for lower leadership posts. Presently, the GOP leader can serve in the position indefinitely, if he or she is elected each Congress.

Scott had teased a run in the days after McConnell made clear his intention to step down, telling reporters he was “seriously considering” it. He stoked additional speculation with a trip to Mar-a-Lago in which he made former President Donald Trump aware of his interest in a run.

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Scott highlighted his relationship with the former president in the letter, framing himself as an ally who would help deliver Trump’s agenda should Republicans sweep control of Washington in November. He also leaned into his background as a healthcare executive to argue he can run the conference “to better accomplish what each of us came here to do.”

“I have known President Trump since before either of us ran for any political office,” he said. “As Republican leader, I will protect senators’ interests while helping President Trump accomplish his goals. Our country’s success and our Conference’s success will be dependent on President Trump’s success.”