Governor Rick Scott

Governor Rick Scott
source
Name	Rick Scott
Caption	Official portrait, 2019
Order	45th
Office	Governor of Florida
Term start	January 4, 2011
Term end	January 7, 2019
Lieutenant	Jennifer Carroll, Carlos López-Cantera
Predecessor	Charlie Crist
Successor	Ron DeSantis
Jr/sr2	United States Senator
State2	Florida
Term start2	January 8, 2019
Alongside2	Marco Rubio
Predecessor2	Bill Nelson
Party	Republican (2010–present)
Otherparty	Democratic (before 2010)
Spouse	Frances Annette Holland, 1972
Education	University of Missouri–Kansas City (BS), Southern Methodist University (JD)

Governor Rick Scott is an American politician and businessman serving as the junior United States Senator from Florida since 2019. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as the 45th governor of Florida from 2011 to 2019. His career before politics was defined by his role as a co-founder and chief executive officer of the Columbia Hospital Corporation, which grew into the healthcare giant HCA Healthcare.

Early life and education

Rick Scott was born on December 1, 1952, in Bloomington, Illinois, and moved with his family to Kansas City, Missouri, as a child. His father was a truck driver and his mother held various jobs, including at J.C. Penney; the family experienced periods of financial hardship. He attended North Kansas City High School before enrolling at the University of Missouri–Kansas City, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration. He subsequently received a Juris Doctor degree from the Dedman School of Law at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.

Business career

After law school, Scott joined the Dallas law firm Johnson & Swanson before shifting to the healthcare administration sector. In 1987, he co-founded the Columbia Hospital Corporation with two partners. Through aggressive mergers and acquisitions, including a pivotal merger with the Hospital Corporation of America, the company became Columbia/HCA. As chief executive officer, Scott oversaw its growth into the largest private for-profit hospital chain in the United States. He resigned in 1997 amid a massive federal fraud investigation that resulted in the company pleading guilty to numerous charges and paying over $1.7 billion in fines. Scott later founded Richard L. Scott Investments, a private equity firm, and served on the boards of companies like Cyxtera and Digital Risk.

Political career

Scott entered politics in 2010, switching his affiliation from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party to run for governor of Florida. He defeated Attorney General Bill McCollum in a contentious Republican primary and then narrowly won the general election against the Democratic nominee, Alex Sink. His political rise was largely self-funded through his personal fortune. After serving two terms as governor, he challenged incumbent Democratic Senator Bill Nelson in the 2018 election, winning by a narrow margin.

Governor of Florida

As governor, Scott focused on economic development, tax cuts, and deregulation, frequently clashing with the Florida Legislature and Florida Cabinet. He presided over the state's recovery from the Great Recession, emphasizing job growth and attracting companies like Navy Federal Credit Union and Embraer. His tenure included significant environmental controversies, such as his handling of algal blooms in Lake Okeechobee and his skepticism of climate change. He appointed three justices to the Florida Supreme Court, shifting its ideological balance. Other notable events included his response to the Pulse nightclub shooting and his deployment of the Florida National Guard during Hurricane Irma.

U.S. Senate career

Scott was sworn into the United States Senate on January 8, 2019. He serves on the Armed Services Committee, the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, and the Special Committee on Aging. He has been a vocal critic of the Biden administration, particularly on issues like inflation and border security. In 2022, he briefly challenged Mitch McConnell for the position of Senate Minority Leader and released an 11-point plan, "Rescue America," which drew intra-party debate over proposals affecting Social Security and Medicare.

Political positions

Scott is a fiscal and social conservative. He supports lower corporate tax rates, right-to-work laws, and expansive school choice programs, including charter schools and voucher systems. On social issues, he has signed legislation restricting abortion access, supported concealed carry laws, and opposed the Affordable Care Act. He has taken a hardline stance on immigration, endorsing the construction of a border wall and backing state laws against sanctuary cities. His environmental policy has emphasized resilience infrastructure over carbon emission regulations, and he has been a staunch supporter of the Israeli government.

Personal life

Scott married Frances Annette Holland in 1972; they have two daughters and several grandchildren. He is a member of the Episcopal Church. A multi-millionaire, he and his wife reside in Naples, Florida. He is a survivor of skin cancer and lymphoma, experiences that have influenced his advocacy for cancer research. His personal wealth, often used to fund his campaigns, has been a consistent subject of scrutiny and political attack from opponents. The Scotts are also known for their philanthropic donations to institutions like the University of Florida and the Naples Children & Education Foundation.

Category:1952 births Category:Living people Category:Governors of Florida Category:United States senators from Florida Category:Florida Republicans Category:American businesspeople