TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Sen. asserts that despite his home-state governor’s presidential aspirations, his unwavering support for as the Republican nominee was an obvious choice.
“I have a lengthy history with Trump… I endorsed him in 2016 and we have collaborated effectively during my tenure as governor [of Florida] and in the Senate,” Scott revealed in an exclusive interview with NBC News, following his recent endorsement of Trump, initially reported by The Messenger. “Considering the international state of affairs, we wouldn’t be facing these challenges if he were still president.”
“I believe that we should unite and offer our utmost support to secure his nomination, enabling us to defeat Biden,” he added.
Scott is endorsing Trump in a race that includes his successor as Florida governor, . However, tensions have existed between Scott and DeSantis in the past, whereas Scott has long been a political ally of Trump.
In 2016, Scott was among the first Republican governors to endorse Trump, and he spearheaded a pro-Trump super PAC during that year as well. Moreover, the two leaders collaborated extensively during the 2022 midterms, with Scott serving as the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
Scott disclosed that he has not engaged in any political discussions with DeSantis since August. At that time, their conversation revolved around Hurricane Idalia striking Florida.
“He has never approached me about an endorsement,” Scott confirmed.
In a statement, DeSantis’s Director of Communications, Andrew Romeo, highlighted DeSantis’s support from Florida officials as well as in early voting states. Romeo stated that the Florida governor holds the majority of state legislative endorsements in Iowa and New Hampshire.
“He also commands support from nearly all elected Florida officials, as they recognize the transformative outcomes he has delivered for the conservative movement,” Romeo commented. “The governor will win his home state due to Floridians’ eagerness to witness the same results-oriented leadership he has provided in the Sunshine State translated to Washington.”
Scott has been engaging with local Republican executive committees throughout Florida, and he reports receiving feedback from grassroots party members who wish for DeSantis to remain as governor.
“Regarding DeSantis, I recognize his dedication to Florida. I have attended many of these [Republican Executive Committee] events, and numerous individuals wish for him to continue serving as governor,” Scott observed. “They elected him and they stand by him.”
Scott’s endorsement arrives during a highly Florida-focused week for the Trump campaign, as his rivals prepare for a debate in Miami on November 8.
Trump is set to deliver the keynote speech at a presidential forum in Orlando, hosted by the Republican Party of Florida. DeSantis has been allocated a speaking slot in the mid-afternoon, courtesy of his home-state GOP. Additionally, Trump is anticipated to secure endorsements from more Florida Republicans, host a reception for party leaders at Mar-a-Lago, and hold a rally in South Florida on the same day as the third GOP debate.
Scott denied that his endorsement was timed to coincide with these events when questioned. He affirmed that he has been contemplating it for a while, and various factors, such as the recent terrorist attacks in Israel, influenced his decision to publicly support Trump now.
“It’s not a single occurrence,” he clarified. “It’s a cumulative assessment.”
As Scott himself will be up for re-election in 2024, he expressed his commitment to assist Trump’s campaign, although he will not be able to fundraise for the former president as actively as he has in the past.
“I have endorsed Trump and I want him to succeed, and I’m going to support him. However, right now I have two other responsibilities,” Scott noted. “I must fulfill my duties in the Senate, where we face several challenges, and I have my own campaign.”
Scott is the clear favorite in his primary race against Republican Keith Gross, a relative unknown in Florida politics, despite his claims of injecting upwards of $30 million into the race. Last week, NBC News reported that Gross, a former Democrat, was disqualified from the ballot for a Georgia state House seat in 2008 due to concerns raised by a judge about his eligibility.
When questioned about this issue, Scott shifted the discussion towards potential talking points against his anticipated general election opponent, former Democratic Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, who launched her Senate campaign in August.
Scott labeled her a “radical socialist” and acknowledged the substantial financial support Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., funneled into defeating him during his 2018 campaign against incumbent Democrat Bill Nelson.
Scott and DeSantis both enjoyed narrow victories in their respective races that year.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
