When asked about former Georgia Bulldog Herschel Walker running for U.S. Senate in 2022, Florida Senator Rick Scott was reluctant to express support for Walker or any other candidate for the upcoming cycle of Republican Senate primaries.
Scott, the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), stood by its decision to stay out of the upcoming primary even with situations like Walker who has gained a magnitude of support, including an endorsement from former President Donald Trump in March.
Scott told the host of Fox News Radio Brian Kilmeade on Tuesday morning, “I’m not going to get involved in any primaries, … I love all Republicans. I want them to go fight in primaries like I had to do in 2010. Prove that you’re the best candidate.”
Additionally, Scott made it clear in his belief that, “the people of Georgia will pick the best candidate,” and that voters in other states’ primaries will do the same. He also believes that with Republican candidates battling it out on their own, they will be “well tested” and “ready to win next November.”
Kilmeade then asked if the NRSC and Scott would change their mind if at any point there is an apparent leader emerging among candidates, in which Scott replied with a firm, “no.”
He added, “I am focused on winning general elections. And so, I am going to let the voters of these states pick their candidates, and then I’m going to make sure we have the resources.”
While Walker does not have the support from a key Florida Republican in Scott, he does have other Florida Republicans that do.
According to Florida Politics, there will be a fundraising event on Friday in the form of a “private dinner” where Walker will be the guest of honor. Hosts of the dinner include former chair of the Republican Party of Florida, and current Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, Total Military Management COO Kent Stermon, and “someone who has close political and personal ties to Gov. Ron DeSantis.”
Walker’s support can also be seen in a recent poll by the Trafalgar Group that has him ahead of the next Republican Candidate Gary Black, 75.7% to 6.3%.
As far a hypothetical head-to-head matchup against current Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA), a general election poll by CDMedia/Georgia Record/Big Data Poll has Walker ahead of Warnock 45.9% to 40.6%.
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Casey Owens is a contributing writer for The Florida Capital Star. Follow him on Twitter at @cowensreports. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Rick Scott” by Rick Scott. Photo “Herschel Walker” by Herschel Walker. Background Photo “U.S. Senate” by “U.S. Senate.
