Health care executive Rick Scott, a political phenomenon who went from virtual unknown to the leading candidate for the Republican gubernatorial nomination in the course of a mere two months, filed his paperwork to make his bid official lateThursday morning.
Minutes later, Attorney General Bill McCollum, the one-time front-runner in the race, filed his paperwork and offered harsh words for his Republican rival.
Its official, said Scott as he turned in his paperwork. I am a candidate for governor for the great state of Florida.
Scott had been politically active in the national fight over health care in 2009 and 2010 before announcing his gubernatorial bid in April. Backed by an aggressive media campaign which has been estimated to cost over $15 million, Scott moved up in the polls and overtook McCollum, despite the attorney general being on Florida's political scene since first being elected to the U.S. House in 1980. A poll taken by Quinnipiac University last week revealed that 44 percent of voters in the Republican primary backed Scott, while 31 percent backed McCollum.
Scott addressed the large pack of reporters covering his filing, and he touched on the cornerstone issues of his campaign.
He stressed his experience in the private sector. During his years in business, he led HCA/Columbia, founded the Solantic clinic chain and managed his own investment firm. He was even a junior partner of the George W. Bush-led Texas Rangers baseball team -- before Bush ran for any public office.
My background is knowing how to make private-sector jobs, said Scott, noting that the state faces continuing high unemployment figures and a banking industry in which 45 percent of mortgage loans are in trouble.
Scott also praised Arizonas new immigration law. I think the Arizona law is a law we ought to have in Florida, he said. We've got to make sure the federal government secures our borders.
Jumping on the political system in Tallahassee, Scott said that the state needs to control taxes and spending. There is no logic to our taxes constantly going up, he said. Were going to mess up our economy doing that.
Scott offered harsh words for the plethora of constitutional amendments the Republican-controlled Legislature sent to the voters on the November ballot. It slows down the ability of state government to change things, he said. Scott added that he supports the measure allowing Floridians to opt out of the new federal health-care laws backed by President Barack Obama.
Scott had harsh words for other measures backed by Obama, namely the federal stimulus package. He warned about the ill effects of continued federal spending and the burgeoning deficit and national debt.
The candidate said he has no illusions about the governorship being an easy task. Its going to be a lot of work, he said. When asked about the state deficit, estimated at $6 billion for next year, Scott said it will be a challenge that Florida will have to face -- very difficult to balance the budget.
McCollum arrived at the Division of Elections a half-hour after Scott, who had departed to deliver a speech at the nearby Civic Center.
Its a very crucial and, as far as Im concerned, a happy day, said McCollum.
McCollum seemed upbeat despite trailing Scott. Its going to be a tough race, he said. Were going to win.
McCollum talked with reporters after filing. While he said he was normally a critic of the Obama administration, he said he was pleased with the $20 billion escrow account that BP established to deal with claims from the oil spill in the Gulf. McCollum said he was not surprised that the U.S. Department of Justice had filed a motion to dismiss his lawsuit against the new federal health-care laws. That motion will not be heard in court until Sept. 14.
Were going to fight them, said McCollum about the Justice Departments motion. We disagree with them. Were going to win.
Its also clear that McCollum wants to fight Scott.
I think he is flawed, said McCollum about his rival. Rick Scott has a very suspicious background and people need to ask, who is Rick Scott?
McCollum questioned Scotts record in the private sector. Hes a fellow who presided over the largest Medicaid fraud in history at Columbia/HCA.
McCollum also questioned Scotts credentials. The attorney general said that the state needed proven leadership to face challenges such as the sluggish economy and the oil spill. Calling Scott a rookie, McCollum said, Its no time for on-the-job training.
I cant see someone like that being elected governor of Florida, said McCollum.
McCollums message was taken up by his supporters who accompanied him to file the paperwork.
Incoming House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, accompanied McCollum. Cannon is affiliated with the Florida Liberty Fund, a political action committee that directed money to the Florida First Initiative, another political committee running an ad campaign against Scott.
The Scott campaign sent out releases saying that McCollum was breaking campaign finance law due to ties between the McCollum camp and the Florida First Initiative, linking the group to Cannon and members of McCollums fund-raising, communications and polling teams.
What part of the Florida First Initiative doesnt Bill McCollum control? asked Jennifer Baker, a campaign spokeswoman for Scott.
Cannon focused on McCollums virtues during his remarks at the filing on Thursday morning. I believe in his leadership and I believe in his character, he said of McCollum. Cannon said that he trusted McCollum to handle problems like the oil spill and the economy.
McCollum was also accompanied by former Speaker Pro Tempore Dennis Baxley, the founder and former executive director of the Christian Coalition of Florida, who is now running for his old House seat. Baxley ripped into Scotts conservative credentials, especially on abortion.
Bill McCollum is the only candidate in the race with a solid record of conservative leadership and strong values, said Baxley. Unlike his opponent Rick Scott, who has personally profited from the destruction of innocent human life, Bill McCollum has always defended the rights of the unborn and possesses the character Florida needs in its next governor.
I want a governor who I can work with to rebuild Floridas economy, said Baxley. I know Bill McCollum. I know I can trust Bill McCollum. The governorship is not for sale.
McCollum was also accompanied by Florida Tea Party chairman Everett Wilkinson. Hes a conservative across the board, said Wilkinson. I stand with Bill McCollum.
McCollum called for Scott to debate him and said he was looking forward to it. Wilkinson said that his group was ready to sponsor a debate on June 30 in Boca Raton. Sounds good to me, said McCollum.
Teresa Valdes, a conservative from Port Orange challenging Rep. Dorothy Hukill, R-Port Orange, in the Republican primary, was filing the paperwork for her campaign at the same time as Scott, and she was impressed with the candidate.
I love Scott, said Valdes. Hes a business guy who has proven to the world that he can run a business.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
