Richard Lynn Scott

Republican junior Senator of Florida

Senator
Florida
January 8, 2019 - January 3, 2025

202-224-5274

@SenRickScott

rickscott.senate.gov

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Congresses Served

Senate Terms

January 1, 1952 (72 years old)

Birthday

Born Richard Lynn Myers, later adopted and renamed
Served as the junior United States senator since 2019
Served as the 45th governor of Florida from 2011 to 2019
Graduate of the University of Missouri–Kansas City and the Dedman School of Law at Southern Methodist University
Served in the United States Navy and became a law firm partner before entering business
Co-founded Columbia Hospital Corporation, which merged to form Columbia/HCA, becoming the nation’s largest for-profit health care company
Resigned from Columbia/HCA amid a fraud investigation, with the company later fined $1.7 billion in a healthcare fraud settlement
Became a venture capitalist after leaving Columbia/HCA
Founded Conservatives for Patients’ Rights in 2009
Won the 2010 and 2014 Florida gubernatorial elections
Won the 2018 US Senate election after a mandatory recount by a margin of 10,033 votes
Has a history of involvement in healthcare, both in business and political advocacy
Has been involved in several controversies, including the largest healthcare fraud settlement in U.S. history at the time
Has a background in law, serving as an attorney before entering politics and business
Has been a vocal critic of the Affordable Care Act and has advocated for free-market principles in healthcare
Led Florida through the largest mass evacuation in U.S. history during Hurricane Irma
Signed legislation affecting the death penalty, education, environment, and gun laws in Florida
Has taken various stances on immigration and refugees over the years, including opposing and then supporting in-state tuition for DREAMers
Critic of the Maduro regime in Venezuela and has made investments that were scrutinized for potential conflicts of interest
Involved in efforts to restore voting rights to felons in Florida, with mixed outcomes
Chaired the National Republican Senatorial Committee from 2021 to 2023
Has been involved in legislative efforts related to daylight saving time, school choice, national defense, and opioid crisis response