MIAMI – Rick Scott campaigned on Friday with a group of Brazilian Americans in Coconut Creek. Five candidates are running against him, but his toughest opponent is Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, a Democrat and former U.S. House representative for Florida’s 26th Congressional District.
Scott, 71, the Republican incumbent, a former Florida Governor, has served in the U.S. Senate since Jan. 3, 2019. His current term ends in 2025, and he is running for re-election with a plan to become the next Republican leader of the U.S. Senate.
According to Federal Election Commission records, Scott, 71, and Mucarsel-Powell, 53, had the most campaign contributions. As of Sept. 30, Scott reported $34 million in total receipts and $1.89 million in cash on hand. Mucarsel-Powell reported $27 million and $3.99 million in cash on hand.
Mucarsel-Powell, born in Ecuador and living in Miami-Dade County, and Scott, born in Illinois and living in Naples, have accused each other of being extremists and liars. They also disagree on Amendment 4, which would limit government interference with abortion. Scott said he is pro-life. Mucarsel-Powell supports it.
The other four candidates are Feena Bonoan, a Libertarian, and Ben Everidge, Tuan “TQ” Nguyen, and Howard Knepper.
Bonoan, 40, of Jacksonville, is a U.S. Navy veteran. Everidge is a fundraising and legislative consultant with congressional staff experience. He organized the Democratic-Republican Party, or DRP, to help organize moderate voters.
Nguyen, who fled the Vietnamese communist regime in 1997, is an engineer who highlights his opposition to authoritarian regimes. Knepper, born in Philadelphia, lives in Miami. He has experience in property management.