Rick Scott gains endorsement from Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida

TAMPA, Fla. – Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott, running for reelection in 2024, announced he was endorsed by the Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida.

“I am honored to receive the endorsement of ABC of Florida,” Scott said. “Since my time as Governor, I have been able to work alongside ABC of Florida to improve competition and grow jobs across the state, especially in Florida’s construction industry.”

The association represents more than 2,500 contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers and professional associates in the Sunshine State. On their website, they note they “defend the notion” that Americans are best-served when construction can take place in a free market.

They advocate for projects to be awarded “based solely on the merit of a company.”

“Growing up in public housing, I know how important a good paying job is for a family and I will always fight to make sure that Florida companies are able to thrive and grow so no Florida family has to worry about being able to put food on the table,” he said.

Pointing to tumultuous economic conditions under the Biden administration, Scott vowed to never “give up until we are back on the right track.”

Tim Dornblaser, the organization’s 2023 board chairman, said Scott “has always been ready, willing, and able to work with us in Florida on behalf of an industry that employs countless Floridians in good and high paying jobs and supports the State’s economy.”

“He continues to stand with us as we work to defend against legislative directives under the Biden Administration that openly discriminate against the Merit Shop Contractor, threaten the safety of our jobsites, and eliminate job opportunities for the 86% of the industry nationwide, and the 96% of the industry in Florida who choose not to affiliate with a Labor Organization,” he said.

“Therefore, the Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida is pleased to announce that we have selected to endorse Senator Scott in his re-election campaign for US Senate.”

In a press release, Scott’s reelection campaign touted the senator’s efforts to continuously cut taxes during his time as governor.

They also noted that while in Washington, D.C., Scott pushed proposals that make it much more difficult to raise taxes federally, such as an amendment that would’ve required a two-thirds vote for any legislation that raises taxes on Americans.

Scott’s campaign said he supports bringing jobs back to the U.S. and cutting out unfavorable trade deals.

The Florida senator was elected in 2018 and assumed office in 2019. He announced his reelection to the Senate earlier this year.

His bid has been endorsed by other groups, such as the Latin Builders Association last month and 59 Florida sheriffs in July.