Florida’S Tallahassee: On Monday, Phil Ehr, a retired 26-year veteran of the United States. Navy who previously attempted to unseat Rep. Matt Gaetz but was unsuccessful, formally declared his candidacy for the Senate against Republican incumbent Rick Scott.
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Ehr mentioned Scott in his statement and a two-minute introduction video highlighting his military experience and recent work in Ukraine. In addition to highlighting Scott’s leadership of a business facing a then-record $1.7 billion fine for Medicare fraud, he blasted Scott for backing former President Trump.
Ehr declared, “I have led the charge in protecting American principles and guarded against extremism throughout my life. I’m challenging Rick Scott in the Senate race to carry out that goal. Extreme politicians like Rick Scott put their interests and those of his affluent funders and allies ahead of middle-class Floridians’ concerns.
Millions of Floridians rely on Social Security and Medicare, and Scott’s efforts to undercut these vital programs show how little he cares about average Americans.
Despite Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee pleading with former Representative Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, who once represented portions of south Florida, to oppose Scott, Ehr launched his campaign.
In 2018, Scott, a two-term former governor of Florida, narrowly defeated Nelson, the sitting senator. He can significantly contribute personal finances to the contest as a multi-millionaire. But this will be Scott’s first presidential election year campaign.
Scott’s director of communications, Priscilla Ivasco, responded, “Chuck Schumer and the Florida Democrats’ recruitment attempts are telling. The guy who finished 30 points short in a congressional contest two cycles ago is the best they can do.
Ehr lost to Republican Gaetz in 2020 by a margin of about 30 points in a district that is heavily Republican. Ehr now holds the position of president of the George Washington Initiative, an organization that combats misinformation. He successfully raised more than $2 million for his congressional campaign.
Republicans and Democrats criticized Scott for his plan earlier this year. He eventually changed his mind, saying it wouldn’t affect Medicare or Social Security.
Fentrice Driskell, a Democratic state representative from Tampa, and Jennifer Jenkins, a Brevard County School Board member, are two further potential opponents to Scott who are thinking about running. Jenkins stated that she was confident in her abilities to defeat Scott and “rid Florida of corrupt career politicians.” Former representative Alan Grayson (D-Fla.), who lost a race for Congress in central Florida last year, has also applied to run for the Senate.
Jenkins underlined the need to make decisions quickly while acknowledging the desire to avoid a crowded Democratic primary. “Our goal is to defeat Rick Scott and bring sanity back to Washington,” she said. We know that a contentious primary will prevent us from achieving our objectives. But the clock is ticking. We have yet to run a statewide campaign, and putting one together takes a lot of time and money. As a result, we must move quickly.
