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IFR Exclusive Interview: NRSC Chairman Sen. Rick Scott Talks Politics

by | Apr 2, 2021 | Campaigns, Congress, Party Politics

Iowa should remain First in the Nation, Democrats are hungry for power, and Chuck Grassley should run again. The chairman of the Republican National Senatorial Committee, Senator Rick Scott, joined Iowa Field Report on his visit to Iowa to discuss politics.

Scott, who served previously as Governor of Florida, now serves as the junior US Senator from Florida along with Marco Rubio. After growing up in Kansas City, he sought out Florida for better weather.

This week’s news of Rita Hart deciding to end her effort to overturn the certified results of Iowa’s Second Congressional District race was big news across the nation and was the top of mind on his visit.

“What they were trying to do against Congresswoman Miller-Meeks was disgusting. This is what goes on in communist China,” said Senator Rick Scott

The Chairman noted that he was glad that Hart finally withdrew her complaint but speculated that the reason she did was that Speaker Pelosi knows that she didn’t have enough votes to boot Miller-Meeks. The victory is thanks to Iowa Republicans, supported by entities like the RNC, the NRCC, and NRSC, who nationalized the issue and made the vote too toxic for Democrats.

“They’re into power, it’s all they care about is power.  They don’t care about doing the right thing, they don’t care about the long-term future of the country, they care about now,” explained the Senator.

 

“How can they get the power, and then try to figure out a way to keep it forever,” he said.

Sen Scott made headlines earlier this week when, in an interview with the Des Moines Register said he was “Very Optimistic” that Iowa’s longtime Senator Chuck Grassley would seek election next year. In his interview with Iowa Field Report, he echoed those comments.

“The first thing I do every time I see him is ask what I can do to be helpful. I’ll do whatever I can to be helpful to him. I think it’d be a big loss if he doesn’t run” commented Scott.

The chairman mentioned that in the unlikely event Sen Grassley decides not to run, he’s sure there will be a lot of Republicans that want to be in that seat because “it’s gonna be a great year.” Referring to two polls the committee has done, one on the Biden Agenda another on election security, Scott maintains that Republicans are winning on the issues with voters.

“What we [Republicans] believe in is what America believes and what the Democrats are doing, is not what America believes,” said Scott.

When it comes to his role as Chairman of the NRSC, Sen. Scott wants to bring his experience to the organization. He highlighted his own experience in politics for what should be expected of candidates for them to win.

“So I’m from a state It’s really hard to win, right. So, I’ve had hard races. And so, what I learned is you got to do it all,” he began. For people that reach out to him before deciding to run for office, Scott says there is always one thing he is sure to tell them,  “If you don’t want to do at all, then you shouldn’t run.”

He explained that there is no shortage of tasks that need to be done.

“You’ve got to get ready for debate, you got to do interview, you got to ask people for money, you got to organize volunteers,” he said ticking off each one rapid-fire.

 

“That is what I’m trying to bring to the NRSC is we are going to help our candidates do all those things. We’re going to be running a campaign for two years,” pronounced the Senator.

He mentioned that the NRSC is already running ads in Nevada, Arizona, Georgia, and New Hampshire because they are committed to winning those states. Each would mean a pick-up for the GOP.

He praised Senator Ernst and Grassley for being trusted voices in the Senate and acknowledged their continued passion and focus on cutting out government waste and abuse. The senator was also impressed that Joni and Chuck never fell into the mindset that they were part of some national club.

“They want to work with people, but they’re not going to do anything that’s not in the best interest not just the country but as the Senators of Iowa.  You know we’ve had Vote-o-ramas recently and you see some of these Democrats vote against their own state. I just think, why would you do that? I got elected to represent Florida. So I want to represent my state, period. It’s my job. I think you’re never going to see Chuck or Joni ever not represent Iowa,” He declared emphatically

Senator Scott was in Iowa this week for a fundraiser supporting the Republican Party of Iowa. He is rumored to be considering a run for President in a few years. At the interview’s conclusion, while he refused to speak specifically to his long-term plans, he seemed to hint at them when he said he was looking forward to getting back to Iowa soon. Recently, some have complained about what they see in Iowa and New Hampshire as the outsized influence in the primary process; Sen. Scott stated he supported Iowa’s First in the Nation Status.

“If you look at what’s going on in these presidential races now, you have so many people in these races. So I think it’s important that we continue, to have robust primaries and I think Iowa should be first,” said the Senator

 

“I think you guys do a good job. Weeding people out. While I’ve never campaigned in Iowa, I have talked to a number of people who have. And what’s great about it is people get to know you,” he concluded.

We are grateful Sen. Scott took the time to chat with us and look forward to getting to know him more in the future.