Rick Scott "absolutely not" committing to support Thune as leader

Stef W. Kight

Sen. Rick Scott during a committee hearing in Washington on June 17. Photo: Daniel Heuer/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Sen. Rick Scott said Friday he is "absolutely not" committing to backing John Thune for another term as Senate GOP leader.

Why it matters: It's a sharp change in tune for Scott (R-Fla.), who has repeatedly and publicly said he supports Thune (R-S.D.) and will not run for leader a third time.

Scott's comments on the Charlie Kirk podcast come as Thune's standing with the MAGA base has taken a hit.
The Senate leader was loudly booed when President Trump mentioned him from the stage at the GOP's midterm convention in Dallas on Wednesday.

What he's saying: "We're going to have a race again in November," Scott said. "I don't know who I'm going to support because I don't know who's going to run."

He also talked about his two failed leadership bids: "I think if it had been a public poll around the country, we would have won because people want change."
Scott criticized Thune for not trying harder to pass the GOP's election bill — the SAVE America Act.

The intrigue: Thune did not give a definitive answer when asked this week by Punchbowl News if he will run again for the top position.

"I mean, obviously, we're all going to be watching carefully what happens on election night," he said.

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Rick Scott "absolutely not" committing to support Thune as leader

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