Conservatives rally for Rick Scott in bid to shake up Senate leadership

Prominent conservatives activists are throwing their support behind Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., to lead the upper chamber, hoping to install a prominent Trump ally instead of a more conventional Republican in the mold of Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Scott previously challenged McConnell for leadership in the wake of the 2022 midterms, but was unsuccessful. McConnell plans to step down soon and Scott is vying against Sens. John Thune, R-S.D.; and John Cornyn, R-Texas; to lead the conference.

The Florida Republican appears to have the backing of a cadre of conservative senators, many of whom opposed McConnell's hawkish foreign policy efforts and are more closely aligned with Trump than the old guard GOP. Thune has urged President-elect Donald Trump to stay out of the leadership contest.

Conservative figures, seeing a potential second McConnell in either Thune or Cornyn, are increasingly vocal in their support for Scott.

"We want Rick Scott," posted Catturd, one of the largest pro-Trump accounts on X.

"We all need to support Rick Scott (R-FL) for Senate Majority Leader. Otherwise, it will be a repeat of 2016 & you’ll have Paul Ryan saboteurs," warned Republican voter registration activist Scott Presler.

"Rick Scott for leader," declared Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.

Conservative media figure Dan Bongino, moreover, has reshared several posts in support of Scott for leadership.

"Senator Rick Scott is the only choice for Senate Majority Leader," posted Fox News contributor Leo Terrell. "MAGA please support Senator Scott. Call President Trump and express your support."