40 Facts About Rick Scott

Early Life and Education

Rick Scott's journey from humble beginnings to political prominence is a tale of resilience and determination.

1. Early Life: Born Richard Lynn Scott on December 1, 1952, in Bloomington, Illinois, to Gordon Myers and Esther (née Fry) Myers. His parents divorced shortly after his birth.

2. Adoption: Scott was adopted by his stepfather, Orba Scott, Jr., a truck driver, which instilled in him a strong work ethic.

3. Education: Attended North Kansas City High School, graduating in 1970. He then spent a year at community college before enlisting in the U.S. Navy.

4. Military Service: Served as a radar technician in the U.S. Navy for over two years, stationed on the USS Glover.

5. Marriage: Married his high school sweetheart, Ann Holland, in 1972. They have been together for over 52 years and have two daughters, Allison and Jordan.

6. Education Continuation: After military service, used the G.I. Bill to attend the University of Missouri at Kansas City, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1975.

7. Law School: Earned a Juris Doctor degree from the Dedman School of Law at Southern Methodist University in 1978, working his way through school.

Business Ventures and Controversies

Rick Scott's business career is marked by significant achievements and notable controversies.

8. Career in Law: Worked as a partner at the law firm Johnson & Swanson in Dallas, Texas, before venturing into business.

9. Business Ventures: Co-founded Columbia Hospital Corporation in 1987, which later merged with Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) to form Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corporation.

10. Medicare Fraud Scandal: In 1997, Scott resigned as CEO of Columbia/HCA amid a federal investigation into Medicare and Medicaid fraud. The company paid $1.7 billion in fines, the largest healthcare fraud settlement in U.S. history.

11. Post-Columbia/HCA: Became a venture capitalist and pursued other business interests. Founded Conservatives for Patients' Rights (CPR) in 2009 to advocate for free-market healthcare principles.

Political Career

Rick Scott's political career has been defined by his conservative policies and significant electoral victories.

12. Governor of Florida: Ran for Governor of Florida in 2010 as a Republican, winning with support from the Tea Party movement.

13. Re-election as Governor: Re-elected in 2014, defeating former Governor Charlie Crist by a narrow margin.

14. Term Limits: Barred from running for re-election as Governor in 2018 due to term limits, he set his sights on the U.S. Senate.

15. U.S. Senate Election: In 2018, defeated Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson by a margin of 10,033 votes after a mandatory recount.

16. Swearing-In: Took office as U.S. Senator on January 8, 2019, following the expiration of his term as Governor of Florida.

17. Current Term: Serving his first term as U.S. Senator from Florida, running for re-election in 2024 against Democratic nominee Debbie Mucarsel-Powell.

Policies and Achievements

Scott's tenure in office has been marked by significant policy initiatives and achievements.

18. Political Affiliation: A member of the Republican Party, he has consistently advocated for conservative policies.

19. Economic Policies: As Governor, championed over $10 billion in tax cuts and reduced business regulations, leading to the creation of nearly 1.7 million new jobs in Florida.

20. Healthcare Reforms: Strong opponent of socialized medicine, advocating for free-market healthcare solutions.

21. Gun Control: Signed a bill into law raising the minimum age to purchase firearms to 21 and establishing a mandatory three-day waiting period for gun purchases following the Parkland shooting in 2018.

22. Tea Party Support: His 2010 campaign was bolstered by the Tea Party movement, contributing to his electoral success.

23. Campaign Spending: Spent approximately $78 million of his own money on his 2010 gubernatorial campaign, one of the most expensive in Florida history.

24. NRSC Chairmanship: Elected chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) in 2020, a position he held until 2022.

Personal Life and Legacy

Rick Scott's personal life and legacy are as multifaceted as his career.

25. Business Background: His leadership transformed Columbia/HCA into the largest for-profit hospital chain in the U.S., despite the Medicare fraud scandal.

26. Personal Life: Married to Ann for over 52 years, with two daughters and seven grandchildren.

27. Public Housing Upbringing: Grew up in public housing in Kansas City, Missouri, a testament to his hard work and determination.

28. Military Influence: Credits his time in the U.S. Navy with teaching him discipline and responsibility.

29. Education Investments: As Governor, made significant investments in education, including record funding for schools.

30. Environmental Policies: Advocated for measures to protect Florida’s natural resources and promote sustainability.

31. Public Safety: Under his leadership, Florida saw improvements in public safety, including reductions in crime rates.

32. Term Limits Advocacy: Supported term limits for members of Congress, a position he continues to advocate for as U.S. Senator.

33. Fiscal Responsibility: Pushed for balanced budgets and reduced government spending during his tenure as Governor.

34. Job Creation: His economic policies led to a significant increase in private-sector job creation in Florida.

35. Healthcare Advocacy: Despite his business background in healthcare, he has been critical of socialized medicine.

36. Gun Control Evolution: Initially opposed stricter gun laws but later supported measures to raise the minimum age to purchase firearms and establish waiting periods.

37. Medicaid Expansion: Initially opposed expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act but later supported a three-year trial expansion, which was defeated in the state legislature.

38. Conservative Agenda: Pursued a largely conservative agenda as Governor, cutting taxes and reducing regulations.

39. NRSC Leadership Challenges: Faced challenges in fundraising and managing the committee's finances during his tenure as NRSC chairman.

40. Legacy and Future: Rick Scott’s legacy is marked by significant achievements and controversies, continuing to serve as a prominent figure in American politics.

Rick Scott's Multifaceted Journey

Rick Scott's life is a blend of business savvy, political ambition, and personal resilience. From his humble beginnings in public housing to his role as a U.S. Senator, Scott's journey is marked by significant achievements and controversies. His tenure as Governor of Florida saw economic growth, job creation, and tax cuts, but also faced criticism for his handling of healthcare and gun control. The Medicare fraud scandal at Columbia/HCA remains a notable blemish on his record, yet he continues to advocate for conservative policies and fiscal responsibility. Scott's story is a testament to hard work and determination, reflecting both his successes and challenges. As he seeks re-election in 2024, his impact on Florida and national politics remains significant, making him a prominent figure to watch in the coming years.