Rick Scott Is ‘Not Interested’ In Being Donald Trump’s VP


Florida’s Governor Rick Scott has said he is “not interested” in running for vice president alongside presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump.

Although Trump has yet to select a running mate, the real estate mogul told reporters last week that he’d considered offering Scott the job.

The Florida governor has proven a formidable advocate for Trump in recent months, having offered his official endorsement in March.

Yet despite that show of unwavering support, Scott shot Trump down on Wednesday – telling CNN’s Erin Burnett that he planned to finish his term in Tallahassee rather than try to join Trump’s ticket.

“I’ve got a great job now,” Scott said. “I like my job. I worked hard to get this job. I’m going to stay in this job. I’m going to finish this job, I’ve got two years and eight months to go.”

Rick Scott in Florida
Rick Scott has said he’s “not interested” in joining Trump on the GOP ticket. [Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images]
When pressed over how he would respond to being offered the role, Scott added he would have no qualms telling Trump he was “going to pass.”

“I will do everything I can to make sure he wins both our state, and if he wants any help nationwide,” he added. “I’ll do anything I can to make sure he wins, but I’m going to stay in this job and finish this job and have a good partner in the White House.”

Having outed himself as a fervent supporter of the presumptive GOP presidential nominee earlier this year, Scott extended his official endorsement to Trump on March 15 – the day after he crushed Senator Marco Rubio in Florida. That said, Scott had been providing words of support for the Trump campaign as early as January.

Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski made clear to reporters ahead of the real estate mogul’s Indiana win on Tuesday night that the campaign had not yet started seriously vetting any vice presidential candidates.

But speaking with The New York Times on Saturday, Trump mentioned three possible contenders to join him on the ticket in November’s general election: Rick Scott, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, and Ohio Governor John Kasich. Trump also refused to rule out vetting a woman or minority to run alongside him.

Trump added that he wanted to find a candidate with “a strong political background, who was well respected on the Hill” and could help him “be a great president.”

Yet since effectively securing the Republican nomination following the inevitable demise of Kasich’s presidential campaign, several leading GOP figures have already said they aren’t willing to be Trump’s vice president.

Kasich has said there is “zero chance” he’d be willing to run alongside Trump, South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley has said she’s “not interested,” and New Mexico Governor Susannah Martinez has said she might not even vote for Trump in November at all.

According to CNN, a senior Trump campaign source said on Wednesday that Martinez and Haley had previously been some of the campaign’s early VP favorites.

Donald Trump at podium
Several leading GOP figures have already ruled out running alongside Trump. [Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images]
Yet when asked Saturday whether he was surprised by the wide array of Republicans who appear less than keen to join his name on the GOP ticket, Trump said he was totally undeterred.

“I don’t care. Whether people support or endorse me or not, it makes zero influence on the voters. Historically, people don’t vote based on who is vice president,” he said. “I want someone who can help me govern.”

According to pollsters at RealClearPolitics, Trump and his running mate will certainly have their work cut out for them. Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton currently enjoys a substantial lead over Trump in a vast majority of surveys charting a hypothetical contest between the two opponents in November.

[Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images]

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