WASHINGTON—In an exclusive interview, The Floridian spoke with Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) regarding his expected general election opponent, former Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D-FL) and her efforts to win his senatorial seat.
Former Rep. Mucarsel-Powell recently campaigned with Representative Maxwell Alejandro Frost (D-FL) who has a record of sympathizing with defunding the police movements.
The Floridian asked Sen. Scott,who has been endorsed by just about every law enforcement agency throughout Florida, about Rep. Mucarsel-Powell’s stance on activist groups such as those.
“Well, that must be her position. She must hate the police. She’s a radical. She clearly wouldn’t represent where the state is. We actually like law enforcement. We like our individual rights,” said Sen. Scott. “You know, we don’t need government to run telling [us] how to run our schools or run our companies. And so she’s the opposite of all those things.”
Furthermore, Scott was asked about Mucarsel-Powell’s co-sponsorship of the 2020 bill, the Wear Your Mask Act, which would’ve mandated that Americans wear masks. It died in the House of Representatives.
Scott responded, “I don’t think she’s ever not believed that government should tell you everything. She supports so many things that tell you how to lead your life. And you know, I think we all can figure this out on our own.”
Back in August, The Floridian Publisher Javier Manjarres met with Scott at the 2024 Republican presidential debate in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to discuss his upcoming reelection campaign as well as his new challenger from Rep. Mucarsel-Powell.
Scott questioned Manjarres' depictions that Powell was a centrist.
.@SenRickScott laughs off his new Democratic senatorial candidate @RepDMP challenge in 2024
Exclusive with Publisher @JavManjarres
“Centrist? That was only for the campaign. Not when [she] voted. She voted 100% with Nancy Pelosi."—@SenRickScott
READ MORE:… pic.twitter.com/opZZ0bNcU6
— The Floridian (@Floridianpress) August 23, 2023
“Centrist? That was only for the campaign. Not when [she] voted. She voted 100% with Nancy Pelosi. So, that story, that’s just for the campaign. And by the way, she’s only one of how many now? How many former Congressmen and women are in now?” Sen. Scott confidently continued, “It’s hard to keep track because they have a heated primary which is going to be fun to watch. People that have all failed because all they do is vote with Nancy Pelosi. And so, this is going to be fun.”
When announcing her candidacy, Mucarsel-Powell said that she wasn't "afraid to take on anyone who doesn't put Florida first. That means you, Rick Scott, that's why I'm running for the U.S. Senate.”
The general election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
