As Gov. Rick Scott continues building a multi-million dollar political warchest ahead of a likely 2018 U.S. Senate bid, Democrats are seizing on his close ties to President Trump as an early line of attack.

  • Gov. Scott likely to challenge Sen. Nelson in 2018
  • Scott's close ties to President Trump under the spotlight

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is launching an online video titled "The Price" that highlights Scott's active hand in helping the Trump administration craft an Obamacare replacement program.

Scott has said the current scheme has driven up costs for health insurance companies and patients. But the governor, who oversaw the largest case of Medicare fraud in American history as CEO of the Columbia/HCA hospital chain, has a complicated history with health care issues.

His critics are exploiting that history as he eyes unseating three-term incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson.

"We are standing with voters in opposing a plan that is deeply unpopular in Florida, and will hold Gov. Scott accountable for his actions," said DSCC spokesman David Bergstein.

Democratic strategists also believe Scott's relationship with the president -- he endorsed Trump after the Florida primary and remained a steadfast supporter, even as other Republicans distanced themselves from him -- will pose a liability, particularly amid the investigations into whether Trump's campaign colluded with the Russians to influence the 2016 presidential election.

If the governor has reservations about his closeness to the White House, however, they're not evident. On Friday, he appeared with the president in Miami as Trump announced a reversal of many of the policies the Obama administration implemented to help thaw the U.S.-Cuba diplomatic relationship.

"Oh, I hope he runs for the Senate," the president told the crowd, referring to Scott. "I know I'm not supposed to say that. I hope he runs for the Senate. Rick, are you running? Huh? Huh?"

Indeed, while Trump remains deeply unpopular among the American public at large, his approval rating among Republicans remains in the 80 percent range. If that level of support were to hold through the 2018 campaign, Scott's alliance with the president could pay political dividends.

"The political elites are shocked, and a lot of them are dismayed," Scott said in the aftermath of Trump's election. "They just couldn't believe this was happening to them. But, the American public has stood up and said we're going to take our country back again."