The conservative push to elevate Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) to Senate majority leader just got a jolt of support from CPAC Chairman Matt Schlapp.
Scott is the underdog in the race pitting Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and John Thune (R-SD) for the job being vacated by Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY). The election is expected this week.
CPAC ENDORSES SENATOR RICK SCOTT@CPAC is urging all Senate Republicans to vote for Senator Rick Scott for Majority Leader. Tuesday’s results can be seen as nothing less than a full mandate for President @realDonaldTrump and his policy agenda. @SenRickScott (CPAC Lifetime 90%)… pic.twitter.com/F7fkXmY5JJ
— Matt Schlapp (@mschlapp) November 10, 2024
Oddsmakers have vaulted Scott into the lead, especially after he won the support of Elon Musk and several Trump allies, including fellow Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL).
The endorsement from CPAC is indicative of the growing conservative support for Scott.
“As chairman, I know and respect each senator running,” Schlapp said on X. “They are each good and decent people. But only Rick Scott understands the urgency of the moment. He too is an outsider to DC who put Florida on the right path by cleaning up elections and always pushing a conservative agenda,” he added.
Schlapp said that Scott has a 90% lifetime conservative grade on the CPAC scale and a track record of working with colleagues. He’s also close to President-elect Donald Trump, who has indicated that he wants to be the unofficial Senate leader.
Rick Scott for Senate Majority Leader! https://t.co/lpT34yHTKk
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 10, 2024
“He has a strong record as both governor of Florida and as a U.S. senator of reigning in government spending, fighting the deep state, and confirming conservative judges. He works with House conservatives and always collaborates with CPAC and other outside groups,” Schlapp said, adding that “the most urgent reason to support Senator Scott is he understands that the Senate needs to change and that DC establishment Republicans need to let a new breed of leaders take the helm.”
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Insiders said that if Scott makes it through the first round of Senate voting, Trump could weigh in harder to show support.
Over the weekend, Trump called on the Senate to help him fill his Cabinet quickly with recess appointments, and Scott was quick to agree. “100% agree. I will do whatever it takes to get your nominations through as quickly as possible,” the Florida senator said.