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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Rick Scott carries many monikers in Florida and nationwide.

He’s a U.S. Senator, a former governor, a Navy veteran, a well-connected Floridian and a multi-millionaire businessman.

Bay News 9 Anchor Rick Elmhorst explores all that and more in a personal in-depth interview with Rick Scott for this episode of To The Point Already.

Scott says his upbringing shaped his life.

The Senator grew up in public housing and for a while with a single mom. He said she told him “you’re going to go to church a lot, you’re going to be an Eagle Scout, you’re going to make straight A’s and get out of the house and make some money.”

All that advice help a young Rick Scott stay focused.

He said those same principals he forged early on helped him later in politics.

“I’m going to be honest, I’m going to do everything I said I’m going to do,” said Scott, worth an estimated $219 million. “I’m not going to surprise you.

In this job, (I tell people) ‘if you’re going to vote for me, this is what I bring to the table and this is what you’re going to get out of it. I think the same principals apply in business and in this (politics).’ “

Elected senator in 2018, Scott has not shied away from sometimes tough, even controversial political positions, whether it be health care, education, transportation or voting rights.

Or his support for, but disagreement with, former President Donald Trump, over the Jan. 6 Capitol riots.

“I was in the Capitol that day, we we’re all on the floor. You could hear the protesters outside the door,” Scott said. “What happened that day was bad. The biggest mistake was when it did happen, he (Trump) should have been very public, very fast and say that was wrong and they should get out of the Capitol.

“The people that came in should be held accountable.”   

And what’s next for Senator? Maybe a White House bid himself?

“(I have) no plans to run for president,” he said. “This my third year in this job and so I’m going to focus on doing this job well.”

ABOUT THE SHOW
Spectrum Bay News 9 Anchor Rick Elmhorst sits down with the people that represent you, the people fighting for change, and the people with fascinating stories to ask the hard questions.