DSCC Launches Digital Ads Against Rick Scott in Florida
GOP governor expected to challenge Nelson for Senate
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is launching two digital ads Monday attacking Florida Republican Gov. Rick Scott, who’s expected to run for Senate.
Scott’s character comes under attack in the two 30-second YouTube spots. The first ad, titled “Truth,” accuses Scott of not being able to tell the truth. The second, titled “Blind,” alleges the governor used his office to enrich himself, calling him a “walking conflict of interest.” The ads are backed by a five-figure buy.
Scott has long been expected to mount a Senate bid against three-term Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson after the end of Florida’s legislative session. He has plenty of his own resources to bring to the race and has been fundraising for his super PAC.
On Friday, Scott signed gun control legislation that would raise the age limit for buying firearms — signifying a break from the National Rifle Association. The legislation came just weeks after a gunman killed 17 at a Parkland, Florida, high school.
Scott used the moment to take a swipe at Washington. “If you look at the federal government, nothing seems to have happened there,” he said, according to The Washington Post. “You go elect people, you expect them to represent you, get things done.”
The DSCC criticized Scott on Friday. “Today was no different from any other day of Rick Scott’s political career: he was looking out for himself, not doing what’s best for Floridians,” spokesman David Bergstein said in a statement.
“Scott’s record is a series of broken promises, which is why he did nothing in the 612 days between the Pulse nightclub tragedy and Parkland to make Floridians safer from gun violence and spent eight years opposing every gun safety measure he could,” Bergstein added.
The most recent statewide poll of the Senate contest, conducted by Quinnipiac University, gave Nelson a 46 percent to 42 percent edge. The poll surveyed 1,156 Florida voters from Feb. 23-26 and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.6 percentage points.
Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates the race Tilts Democratic.