Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., who failed to unseat Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, is still focused on becoming the conference chief.
In an interview with Politico, Scott, 71, reiterated his concerns about the 81-year-old leader, but stopped short of announcing a challenge.
"I haven't changed," Scott told the outlet about a possible second shot at the position. "I believe we need to have different leadership. I'm gonna win my reelection first."
Scott, an ally of former President Donald Trump, said he wants to return to the Commerce Committee after losing his seat on the panel last year — for which he blamed McConnell, calling it retaliation for Scott running against him.
He bluntly accused McConnell of poor leadership, citing the failed border and military aid bill, which Scott dismissed as solely an "immigration bill."
"The way Mitch McConnell is leading the Republican conference, he's not representing Floridians," Scott charged. "He's not representing Republicans."
He's already got support from conservative colleagues, including fellow Florida lawmaker Rep. Matt Gaetz, who got a standing ovation at Florida Republicans' annual meeting near Tampa when he called for Scott to be the next Senate majority leader, Politico reported, citing a video it had viewed.
Fran Beyer ✉
Fran Beyer is a writer with Newsmax and covers national politics.
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