Florida Republican Governor Rick Scott announced his intention to run for Senate against Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson today – setting the stage for an epic showdown in the 2018 Midterms.
Fox News reports:
The Associated Press reported Monday that Scott will formally make the announcement during a morning event in Orlando where he will call Washington “horribly dysfunctional,” rail against “career politicians” and call for term limits for members of Congress.
Scott was first elected governor in 2010 but he cannot run again because of term limits.
Nelson is the only statewide elected Democrat and was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2000. In 1986, Nelson famously went through NASA training and spent six days orbiting Earth aboard the space shuttle Columbia.
President Trump has urged Scott to seek the seat, including during public events in Florida. During a tour of storm damage during Hurricane Irma in September, the president told reporters: “I hope this man right here, Rick Scott, runs for the Senate.”
According to Charlie Cook, America’s top political prognosticator, Scott’s announcement immediately puts the race in the toss-up column.