ORLANDO, Fla. – Former Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell will try to unseat incumbent Rick Scott in the U.S. Senate race in November, the Associated Press called on Tuesday night.
Mucarsel-Powell beat three other candidates to win the Democratic primary, while Scott defeated two challengers in the Republican primary.
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Scott — who turns 72 in November — has a history of winning by slim margins in Florida elections.
During his first campaign run for governor in 2010, Scott won with 48.9% of the vote, 70,000 votes out of 5 million. In 2014, he got 48.1 and won by 65,000 votes. In 2018, he won the Senate seat with 50.1% and a margin of just 10,000 votes over Bill Nelson.
[RESULTS 2024: COMPLETE COVERAGE | What you need to know for the Aug. 20 primary]
Let’s meet the Democratic primary candidates who are hoping to challenge him.
DEBBIE MUCARSEL-POWELL - Campaign Website
Debbie Mucarsel-Powell is the only Latina vying for a U.S. Senate seat in November and hopes to win over voters with her moderate stance on many issues, including Latin America policy.
While Mucarsel-Powell represented Florida’s 26th congressional district for only one term from 2019-2021, it was a historic win. She was the first Ecuadorian American and first South American-born member of Congress.
According to her campaign website, Mucarsel-Powell wrote the bill to expand seniors’ Medicare Advantage coverage, and she worked with Republicans to provide economic relief to families and small businesses and secured $200 million for Everglades restoration.
If elected to the Senate, Mucarsel-Powell said she would fight to protect Medicare, and Social Security and access to quality, affordable health care.
STANLEY CAMPBELL - Campaign Website
Campbell is a Navy veteran and CEO of his own global health care technology company. A native Floridian, Campbell was raised in the Liberty City area of Miami.
Campbell told News 6 in an interview that he thinks his background will appeal to Florida voters.
“You probably haven’t heard a lot of me because I’m a people person. I talk to the people first,” said Campbell.
According to his campaign site, Campbell is committed to tackling healthcare, women’s health rights, insurance rates, veterans support, AI, and education.
BRIAN RUSH - Campaign Website
Born and raised in St. Petersburg, Brian Rush served in the Florida House of Representatives in the 1990s as a Democrat, where he sponsored the original Class Size Reduction Act. He also focused on environmental protection and First Amendment rights.
During the 2022 Florida primary, he finished a distant second to Val Demings.
Rush says he’s running for U.S. Senate to fight for the middle class and working families, to lower insurance costs, raise wages, and strengthen Social Security, Medicare, and Veterans benefits.
Rod Joseph - Campaign Website
Born in Haiti, Dr. Rod Joseph migrated to the United States as a child. He’s an Army Combat War veteran and Purple Heart recipient.
According to his campaign website, Joseph earned the nickname “The Truth” for his steadfast adherence to honesty and integrity.
Economic inequality, veterans’ rights, immigration reform, and reproductive rights are just some of the few areas, Joseph believes demands attention and action. He also pledges to implement policies aimed at making health care services affordable and accessible to all Floridians.
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