Florida’s major business groups endorse Sen. Rick Scott for re-election

The Florida Retail Federation (FRF) and Associated Industries of Florida (AIF), two of the state’s largest business advocacy groups, jointly announced on Monday their endorsements of Sen. Rick Scott in his bid for re-election.

The endorsements highlighted Scott’s pro-business stances in Florida, citing long-term collaborations between his office and both organizations.

“Throughout his time in office, Scott has been a champion for Florida’s business community,” said AIF President and CEO Brewster Bevis. “In Washington, he has consistently advocated for limited government, free enterprise, and policies that support job creation and promote economic growth. AIF is confident Sen. Scott will continue to fight for the best interests of Florida’s job creators and ensure our state remains the best place to live and do business.”

Meanwhile, FRF President and CEO Scott Shalley referred to Scott’s triad of tax cuts, regulatory streamlining, and job creation measures, which he contends culminated in an unemployment rate drop.

“As Governor of Florida, Rick Scott was laser-focused on helping Florida get back to work after the Great Recession had crippled the Sunshine State’s economy,” said Shalley. “He cut taxes, eliminated burdensome regulations, and reduced unemployment to just 3 percent. He brings that same focus to Washington, where he’s cutting through the chaos to fight the devastating inflation that is debilitating for Florida families – and for Florida’s retail stores.”

Scott also took the occasion to outline his accomplishments as Florida’s governor, sharing his record of cutting taxes, which he claims amounted to more than $10 billion in savings.

“I am honored to receive the endorsement of FRF and AIF,” said Scott. “Since my time as Governor, and now as Senator, I have worked with these great organizations that are fighting for Florida businesses and workers. Florida’s economy thrives when industries, retailers, and small businesses thrive. As governor, I was proud that I could cut taxes every single year”

The Senator further criticized the policies under President Joe Biden, attributing them to rising costs for businesses and vowing to continue work to protect Florida’s economy.

“Biden’s policies have driven up the cost on our retailers and businesses for things like gas, rent, and critical goods and services,” he continued. “I look forward to working with both of these organizations to reverse what Biden has done to our economy.”

Scott, a two-term Florida governor, narrowly defeated Democrat incumbent Bill Nelson in the 2018 Senate election, receiving approximately 10,000 more votes than the former astronaut, marking the first time since the Reconstruction era that Republicans held both Senate seats in Florida.

In August, former Democratic Representative Debbie Mucarsel-Powell declared her intention to challenge Scott for his Senate seat. Before her formal announcement, top Democratic figures, including U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and other Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee officials, had already expressed support, urging her to enter the race, as reported by Politico in July.

Murcasel-Powell, who served in Washington from 2019 to 2021, drew even higher expectations to join the race after Florida House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell announced that she is refraining from running, instead opting to run for re-election in the Florida House.