Trump allies back Rick Scott in GOP Senate leader race as they look to influence secret ballot
Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., has emerged as a front-runner in the race for Senate Majority Leader, receiving a wave of endorsements from President-elect Donald Trump-aligned conservatives following his re-election victory last week. Among those endorsing Scott are billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk, who took to his platform to declare, “Rick Scott for Senate Majority Leader!” Musk, who also endorsed Trump in the 2024 election, has become a key figure in the president-elect’s inner circle.
In addition to Musk, Scott has garnered support from former presidential candidates Vivek Ramaswamy and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as well as several of his Senate colleagues including Sens. Bill Hagerty, Rand Paul, Ron Johnson, Tommy Tuberville, and Marco Rubio. This surge of endorsements has solidified Scott’s position as a leading contender in the race to succeed Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.
The race for Senate Majority Leader has been heating up, with only two public endorsements prior to Scott’s recent wave of support. Sens. Markwayne Mullin and Mike Rounds initially backed Senate Minority Whip John Thune, who is also vying for the top leadership position. Musk, in a rare political move, criticized Thune on social media, claiming that the South Dakota senator is the “top choice of Democrats.”
With the election for Senate Majority Leader set to take place via secret ballot on Wednesday, the contenders are working hard to secure support from their colleagues. Trump, who has not publicly endorsed a candidate, has made it clear that he expects the next leader to prioritize recess appointments in order to swiftly fill federal vacancies. This directive has been met with agreement from Scott and Cornyn, with Thune expressing openness to the president-elect’s request.
Recess appointments, a power outlined in the Constitution, allow the president to fill federal vacancies when the Senate is in recess. This authority is crucial for ensuring that key positions are filled promptly, particularly in the early days of a new administration. Scott, Cornyn, and Thune have all signaled their commitment to working with Trump to expedite the confirmation process for his nominees.
As the race for Senate Majority Leader intensifies, the endorsements and support from key figures like Musk and Trump are boosting Scott’s chances of securing the top leadership position. With the election just days away, all eyes are on the Senate as Republicans prepare to choose their new leader.
