Biography

Richard Lynn Scott, known as Rick Scott, was born on December 1, 1952, in Bloomington, Illinois. Raised in North Kansas City, Missouri, he grew up in a financially struggling family; his mother worked as a clerk at J.C. Penney, and his stepfather was a truck driver. After graduating from North Kansas City High School in 1970, Scott enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving as a radar technician aboard the USS Glover. Following his military service, he pursued higher education and embarked on a business career, eventually founding Columbia/HCA, which became the largest for-profit health care company in the U.S. Scott entered politics in 2010, serving two terms as the 45th Governor of Florida from 2011 to 2019. In 2018, he was elected to the U.S. Senate, representing Florida as a Republican. He was re-elected in 2024, defeating Democratic nominee Debbie Mucarsel-Powell.

Education and Political Experience

• Education:

  • Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Missouri–Kansas City
  • Juris Doctor from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law

• Political Experience:

  • Governor of Florida
  • U.S. Senator from Florida
  • Chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee
  • Chair of the Senate Aging Committee

Notable Achievements and Positions

• Economic Policies: As Governor, Scott implemented significant tax cuts and reduced regulations, leading to the creation of nearly 1.7 million new jobs and a drop in unemployment from 11% to 3.3%.

• Healthcare: Founded Columbia/HCA, which became the largest for-profit health care company in the U.S. The company faced legal challenges, resulting in a $1.7 billion fine for Medicare fraud, the largest in U.S. history at the time.

• Senate Leadership: As Chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, Scott played a pivotal role in Republican Senate campaigns. In 2024, he announced his candidacy for Senate Republican Leader, positioning himself as a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump.

• Legislative Initiatives: In 2022, Scott released an 11-Point Plan to Rescue America, outlining his policy priorities, which sparked significant debate within the Republican Party.

Scott's political career reflects a trajectory from business to governance, marked by a focus on economic growth, healthcare reform, and conservative policy advocacy.