Sen. Rick Scott (R), the former governor of Florida, reportedly threw a party at the governor’s mansion on Monday, even though the state’s new chief executive, Ron DeSantisRonald Dion DeSantisFlorida bill repealing ban on smokable medical marijuana headed to governor’s desk GOP turns Venezuela into Florida attack line Matt Gaetz makes rare break with Trump: ‘Climate change is real’ MORE (R), and his family had already moved in.
Politico reported that DeSantis and his wife, Casey, were informed by Scott last Friday that he planned to “have a party with 48 people at the mansion” on the day before the new governor was officially sworn in.
Rep. Matt GaetzMatthew (Matt) GaetzMatt Gaetz jabs Don Lemon while talking to Chris Cuomo on CNN Matt Gaetz makes rare break with Trump: ‘Climate change is real’ Florida spa chain founder advertised access to Trump at Mar-a-Lago for Chinese execs: report MORE (R-Fla.), who led DeSantis’s transition team, told the news outlet that throwing the party “shows how inconsiderate the Scott administration was.”
DeSantis replaced Scott, who defeated incumbent Sen. Bill NelsonClarence (Bill) William NelsonEx-House Intel chair: Intel panel is wrong forum to investigate Trump’s finances The Hill’s Morning Report – Trump budget reignites border security fight 2020 party politics in Puerto Rico MORE (D). Both were elected in November.
Politico reported that Scott’s party was one of multiple recent actions perceived as slights against DeSantis.
Scott also reportedly made more than 70 last-minute appointments as governor without consulting DeSantis and left his inauguration ceremony early.
Tensions between the two could be high ahead of a possible clash in 2024, when both of them may seek the White House, Politico noted.
Kevin Cate, a Democrat and adviser to Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum (D), who ran against DeSantis for governor, told Politico that “it’s pretty clear that both of these men think they’re going to be president.”
“Scott has always been politically awkward and it’s no shock he’d be awkward heading out the door, even to someone from his own party,” Cate added.