Former Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell files to challenge Rick Scott for U.S. Senate seat

Democrat Debbie Mucarsel-Powell officially filed for the U.S. Senate on Wednesday, quickly attacking Republican Sen. Rick Scott, the incumbent, and his record on abortion.

The former South Florida Congresswoman is focusing Florida’s reproductive rights landscape in her campaign.

“This November, we will have the opportunity to vote for our fundamental freedoms because an abortion ballot initiative will be on the ballot,” she said while standing in front of the Florida Supreme Court in Tallahassee. “Let me just say, it’s very clear to me that Floridians are ready to turn out this November to protect our rights and to retire Rick Scott, to stop him from this dangerous, extreme agenda.”

Similar to the messaging from the Florida Democratic Party and the group behind the abortion rights amendment, Mucarsel-Powell insisted reproductive rights are a bipartisan issue.

“This is a Democratic, Republican, Independent, American issue,” she said. “It is about our civil rights. This is central to the dignity of a woman to make her private decision between herself, her doctor, her family and her faith. We cannot allow politicians like Rick Scott to interfere in those private decisions.”

Scott has expressed conflicting opinions on abortion, recently saying that he would have signed the six-week abortion ban, but later expressing support for a 15-week ban.

Just yesterday, President Joe Biden endorsed Mucarsel-Powell during his campaign stop in Tampa. She also delivered remarks during the event.

But when a reporter asked her on Wednesday if Biden’s campaign focus on Florida would boost her own, she said: “I’m not going to put my head on fire for any of that. The President was here yesterday. He is telling everyone Florida is in play.”

But Mucarsel-Powell is also facing a Democratic primary in August. So far, three Democrats have qualified for the election (Stanley Campbell, Joseph Rod and Brian Rush), according to the Florida Division of Elections. The deadline to file is Friday. She is the only woman Democratic candidate, and she is also Latina.

Campbell, who is Black, criticized the decision to have Mucarsel-Powell speak at Biden’s campaign stop, saying there were people of color in the crowd who saw that he had been ignored, according to The Floridian.

“People know the work that I’ve put in because I believe in it. For me, it’s been a calling to serve, and so I’m just moving forward to make sure that we kick Rick Scott out,” she said, responding to a question about Campbell’s criticism.

Additionally, polls show that Scott has a lead over Mucarsel-Powell. An April 18 poll from Florida Atlantic University and Mainstreet Research shows 51% of voters going for Scott and 35% supporting Mucarsel-Powell. Another recent poll from Emerson College Polling gives Scott a 7% advantage between the two.

Scott also has primary challenges from two Republicans who have qualified (John Columbus and Keith Gross).