Scott, R-Fla., the chairman of the National Republican Senate Committee, was at odds with McConnell. R-Ky., for most of this year on political strategy. Scott is also more closely aligned with former President Donald Trump, who has called for McConnell’s removal from the Senate Republican leadership. Scott has repeatedly refused to rule out challenging McConnell in recent months, but did not confirm his intentions until Tuesday during a closed-door GOP luncheon. “I’m writing to you today because I think it’s time for the Senate Republican Conference to be much bolder and more decisive than we have been in the past. We need to start saying what we’re for, not just what we’re against.” Scott said in a letter to GOP colleagues. “I don’t believe we can just keep saying Democrats are radicals, which they are. Republican voters expect and deserve to know our plan to advance and advance conservative values.” Scott added: “For those who want to get serious about ending reckless government spending and the disastrous inflation it has caused, finally take action to protect Social Security and Medicare and preserve the promise of these programs for children and our grandchildren, hold the government accountable from the FBI to the IRS, really combat the extreme danger posed by Communist China and refocus our military on lethal defense instead of nonsense, I am asking for your support in changing the direction of the Senate and rescuing America from the dangerous path set by Democrats on.” Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., has been at odds with Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., on policy strategy for most of the year. (Joseph A. Wulfsohn/Fox News Digital) POPULAR SENATORS PREDICT TO SUPPORT MCCONNELL TO REMAIN PARTY LEADER Senate Republicans are set to hold their leadership election Wednesday morning in the Old Senate Chamber. If McConnell is re-elected to his seat, he would become the longest-serving leader of the party in Senate history. After a disappointing election for Republicans in which they failed to win a majority from Democrats, Scott has been one of the loudest voices calling for a delay in the Senate leadership election recently. I understand that I will not win the support of all members of our Congress, but we all have a clear choice to make. If you just want to stay with the status quo, don’t vote for me. — Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., tells GOP colleagues he’s running for Senate GOP leader “THE leadership in the Republican Senate he says, “No, you can’t have a plan, we’re just going to deal with how bad the Democrats are.” And they actually then cave to the Democrats,” Scott told “Sunday Morning Futures.” “Now they want to rush elections. … They don’t want to make any assessment of what we did wrong.” Scott also directly addressed Republicans’ poor midterm performance in his letter to senators. “Like each of you, I am deeply disappointed by the results of the recent election,” Scott said. “Despite what the armchair generals on TV will tell you, there is no one responsible for the performance of our party across the country. I know there is no shortage of people who want to point fingers and assign blame here in Washington, but i won don’t be one of them.’ He also aired what he said were complaints from GOP senators about how the convention was run, including being “spineless.” making “deals with Chuck Schumer that the majority of members of our Congress disagree with”; pressuring members to vote on certain bills; and more. Scott said he would be the candidate to change that. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “I understand that I will not win the support of every member of our Congress, but we all have a clear choice to make,” Scott wrote. “If you just want to stick with the status quo, don’t vote for me.” Scott, however, likely faces an uphill battle to win the GOP leadership position, according to several Republican senators who spoke to Fox News Digital this week. “I don’t really see it right now,” Sen. Lindsey Graham, RS.C., said when asked if anyone, including Scott, could defeat McConnell.
Tyler Olson is a reporter covering the Senate for Fox News Digital.