Senator Joe Manchin’s announcement that he won’t be seeking reelection in West Virginia has made the Democratic Party’s path to keeping the Senate majority in 2024 even harder. Manchin was considered the only Democrat who stood a chance in that deep red state, which Donald Trump carried by almost 40 points in last year’s presidential race. As a result, the party has drastically narrowed down the states it needs to win and is now looking into flipping seats in Florida.
Rick Scott, a Republican senator, is apparently seen as a significant potential target. He has been disdained by the Republican establishment and is considered to be one of Florida’s least popular politicians. Past elections have shown his narrow victories, indicating vulnerability that Democrats could capitalize on. Scott’s substantial personal wealth has allowed him to fund his own campaigns, making money an influential factor in Florida’s highly expensive political landscape. However, Scott has proven his political abilities and stays firmly on-message.
To challenge Scott, Democrats have found their candidate in former representative Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, who is a stark contrast to Scott. They plan to emphasize the disparities between the two, portraying Mucarsel-Powell as the complete opposite of Scott. With the campaign set up as a battle of opposites, it’s going to be one to watch.