Rick Scott's MAGA momentum backfires in the Senate

Source: Axios

5 hours ago


Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) may be the MAGA media darling, but some of his colleagues are bristling at the public pressure on their secret voting process to elect Mitch McConnell's Senate Republican leader successor on Wednesday.

Why it matters: Senate GOP sources tell us Scott's weekend momentum — especially without an endorsement from President-elect Trump — is starting to backfire.

Scott has his supporters, there's no question. But many senators wanted to avoid turning a secret ballot into a public spectacle, and feel bullied by the online chatter.

What we're hearing: It is "definitely backfiring on him. At this point I won't vote for him for anything ever," one Republican told Axios.

Senate offices are dealing with a flood of trolling on social media from Scott allies while Scott campaigns for their votes, aides tell Axios.

That's left many of them livid and frustrated. It could cost Scott persuadable votes, another GOP aide told us.

Many of those aides blame Scott for the GOP's poor showing in the 2022 midterms, when he ran the NRSC.

The other side: "The organic outpouring of support from Republican voters for Sen. Rick Scott is seen as a testament to the overwhelming change Americans want to see in Washington following President-elect Trump's commanding win," according to a source familiar with Scott's bid for leader.

The source noted that Scott has refused to attack his leader rivals Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and John Cornyn (R-Tex.).

Scott is also continuing to reach out to colleagues and build a positive case for his leadership, a source close to him said.

Read more: https://www.axios.com/2024/11/11/rick-scott-senate-republican-leader-maga-trump