Rick Scott

Florida Sen. Rick Scott to Challenge Mitch McConnell for Senate GOP Leader

Mitch McConnell, of Kentucky, is the longest-serving GOP leader in Senate history, having served in the position since 2007.

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Florida Sen. Rick Scott announced Tuesday that he is challenging Sen. Mitch McConnell to replace him as the Senate Republican leader.

A Scott spokesperson confirmed the announcement to NBC News.

"The status quo is broken and big change is needed," Scott tweeted. "It's time for new leadership in the Senate that unites Republicans to advance a bold conservative agenda."

McConnell, of Kentucky, is the longest-serving GOP leader in Senate history, having served in the position since 2007.

Scott, as chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, has faced backlash over the party's disappointing performance in the midterm elections.

He was one in a small group of senators who wrote a letter to the Republican caucus over the weekend asking for a delay in this week's leadership elections “to have serious discussions within our conference as to why and what we can do to improve our chances in 2024.”

"Despite what the armchair quarterbacks on TV will tell you, there is no one person responsible for our party’s performance across the country," Scott said in a letter to colleagues. "I know there is no shortage of people who are eager to point fingers and assign blame here in Washington, but I won’t be one of them. It’s unproductive and a massive waste of time."

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