The former hospital mogul behind early astroturfing efforts to oppose Democratic health care reform is hoping to become Florida’s next governor.
Millionaire businessman Rick Scott, the founder of Conservatives For Patients’ Rights, launched his bid today for the Republican gubernatorial nomination promising to “to lead the state in a new, conservative direction and into a prosperous future.”
“The professional politicians have failed us at every level,” Scott said in a statement today. “It’s time to fight back and hold our government accountable. Together, we can turn Florida around!”
The Florida GOP, of course, already has a presumptive gubernatorial nominee in state Attorney General Bill McCollum. He’s doing well in early polling, leading presumptive Democratic nominee and current state Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink in most polls.
But Scott says McCollum is too connected to the political establishment to be effective. Lifting rhetoric right from the tea party playbook, a Scott is claiming he’ll be the pure conservative alternative to McCollum.
“Florida needs a conservative who is not afraid to upset the apple cart, an outsider who is not part of the political establishment,” Scott said in the statement, “and a businessman who knows how to create jobs, cut costs, balance budgets, and bring new ideas to old problems.”
It’s not yet clear how serious a bid Scott is planning. A call to his campaign’s spokesperson was not returned this afternoon. But with plenty of time before Florida’s August primaries, he could give McCollum serious problems if his bid picks up support from the fired-up Florida conservatives who appear ready to send Gov. Charlie Crist packing in the GOP Senate primary.
One thing is certain: Scott plans to run on his history as the money behind early town hall protests of health care reform. Among the list of accomplishments on his campaign website is the $5 million he spent to create CPR at the start of the health care debate. The group funded ads and early efforts to pack town halls in opposition to a publicly-funded plan as part of health care reforms.
Scott makes it clear he plans to trumpet the effort.
“In February, 2010, CPR declared victory over President Obama’s public option plan,” the website reads.
