FLORIDA: Media Attention During Hurricane Boosts Likelihood Rick Scott Will Challenge Sen. Bill Nelson

The Hill reports:

Florida Gov. Rick Scott’s (R) handling of Hurricane Irma has boosted his profile ahead of an expected Senate bid. Scott is term-limited out of the governor’s mansion, and Republicans, including President Trump, have urged him to consider challenging Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) next year. His aggressive approach to Irma, which saw him order an extensive evacuation ahead of the storm and coordinate disaster relief efforts as the storm came ashore, has sent his political stock even higher.

Before Irma, Scott’s ability to respond to a hurricane had gone mostly untested, with Florida avoiding a major storm for his entire term. But the governor’s preparedness has impressed Republicans and some Democrats, all of whom have long expected Scott to challenge Nelson next year. In the days before Irma cut across the state this past weekend, Scott was a constant presence on Florida televisions, urging more than 7 million residents to evacuate.