On Wednesday, Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell survived a challenge from Florida Senator Rick Scott with a 37-10 vote. This is the first challenge that McConnell has faced in that leadership role since taking over in 2007. McConnell will remain as minority leader now for at least the next 2 years.
After challenging Mitch McConnell, Florida Senator Rick Scott will no longer be NRSC Chair. Montana GOP Sen. Steve Daines was elected to be the new chair of the NRSC for the 2024 election cycle.
McConnell, the longest serving Senate GOP leader, said on Tuesday that he welcomed the challenge from Scott but predicted he had enough votes to win.
“I don’t own this job. Anybody in the conference is certainly entitled to challenge me,” McConnell said at the GOP leadership press conference. “And I welcome the contest.”
NRSC Chair Rick Scott was later “un-invited” to the press conference after announcing his decision to challenge McConnell for the chamber’s GOP leaders position, according to Scott’s office.
During a news conference after the vote on Wednesday, McConnell was asked about his assessment of Scott’s performance as NRSC chair but declined to comment.
Scott did congratulate Senator Steve Daines on his win. “I want to congratulate Senator Steve Daines on being elected as the next Chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. Steve is a great Senator who cares deeply about our Party, his state and the country. He’s a proven leader who knows what it takes to win. The NRSC will be in good hands with Steve at the helm.”