During his speech at CPAC, viewers attentively listened to whether or not the embattled former President would announce a 2024 presidential run. However, President Donald Trump (R) did not make any mention of future plans. What he did do was confirm that he would be involved in the Republican party, and it appears that the first order of business for Trump is to unseat Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowksi (R), calling her a “disloyal and very bad Senator.”
Florida Senator Rick Scott (R), the Chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, is a staunch supporter of President Trump, but he has also vowed to support incumbent lawmakers. When speaking to reporters in January, a number of Republican Senators were touted as being “primaried” by pro-Trump candidates, but Scott simply admitted that he’s “supporting the incumbents.”
This will likely put him at odds with President Trump, considering the recent comments Trump unleashed regarding Murkowski.
In a statement, Trump said that he “will not be endorsing, under any circumstances, the failed candidate from the great State of Alaska.” He added that Murkowski “represents her state badly and her country even worse,” expressing that he doesn’t know “where other people will be next year, but I know where I will be - in Alaska campaigning against a disloyal and very bad Senator.”
As Chairman of the NRSC, Scott is tasked with not only maintaining the Senate seats that Republicans have but also gaining seats as well, so it begs the question of whether or not the NRSC will intervene in potential primary races judging from his strong support of President Trump coupled with his newfound position in the NRSC.
According to the group's bylaws, the NRSC must support any incumbent Republican legislator.
Shortly after President Joe Biden (D) was inaugurated, Senator Scott commented that the county and the Republican party need “to focus on where we’re going, not the past.”
