GOP losses prompt Scott to seek delay in Senate leadership vote

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(The Center Square) –U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., has backed an effort to delay the Senate GOP leadership vote slated for Tuesday following last week’s Democratic victories in the midterm election.

In a letter to Republican leadership Monday, Scott and four other lawmakers called for pushing back the vote until Republicans have a chance to hear from leadership candidates on what they plan to do differently.

“Tuesday’s result was a stunning defeat, and there are multiple reasons for it,” the senators wrote. “We need to have serious discussions within our conference as to what we can do to improve the outcome in 2028.”

The letter was addressed to Senate Republican Conference Chairman Tom Cotton along with current Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Assistant Majority Leader John Barrasso.

Thune is the expected candidate to serve as the Senate GOP minority leader.

“Holding leadership elections without engaging in a robust discussion and evaluation of how those running for leadership intend to lead would be political malpractice,” the letter went on to say. “It is certainly not the way leadership elections should be conducted in the world’s greatest deliberative body.”

The senators proposed replacing Tuesday’s planned vote with a conference discussion “until we all have a chance to hear from leadership candidates as to what type of collaborative conference governing model we should adopt and what our strategy will be to counter the emboldened Democrats.”

Since Democrats secured control of Congress beginning in January, Scott has been vocal about Republicans making their last days in power count.

“Here are the facts,” Scott said Monday on X. “In January Democrats take over. We know they have a radical agenda and no plan to pay for it. Republicans must ACT NOW. Pass the SAVE America Act. Confirm POTUS’ nominees and enact his agenda. Time is running out. No more excuses!”

In Florida, the state broke with the national trend of Democratic gains, but Democrats still had plenty to celebrate, including breaking the state House’s Republican supermajority with a projected 50 seats and flipping a seat in the Florida Senate.

“For too long, Republicans have treated their supermajorities like a blank check while Florida families paid the price,” said Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried. “Breaking their supermajority in the House is a major milestone, but our work is far from over. We’re going to keep fighting to lower costs, protect our freedoms, strengthen our public schools, and build a Florida that works for everyone.”

Senate Democratic Leader-designate Tracie Davis said the midterm results signaled voters turning to Democratic candidates for solutions to everyday challenges including affordability issues.

“Senate Democrats are ready to get to work advancing an affordability agenda that lowers costs, raises wages, and gives every Floridian a fair shot at a brighter future,” said Davis.