TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, the Scott for Florida campaign announced it will participate in a series of debates this fall as part of Governor Rick Scott’s campaign for U.S. Senate. As of Monday, the Scott for Florida campaign has accepted invitations from the following debates. We are continuing to review other invitations and will make additional announcements this summer: Telemundo 51 Miami Jacksonville University Public Policy Institute and WJXT Channel 4 CNN “We are looking forward to participating in several debates prior to November in order to give Floridians every opportunity to hear from Governor Rick Scott about how he plans to reform Washington to make it work for Floridians – not for career politicians. We hope Bill Nelson will accept the invitations to join us, and are curious to see how he will try to defend his weak record of accomplishments for Florida families over the course of his nearly half century in office. Bill Nelson continues to be all talk, no action on the issues, but Floridians won’t settle for smoke and mirrors in a debate setting.” – Lauren Schenone, Scott for Florida Press Secretary

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, the Scott for Florida campaign released the below statement from Governor Rick Scott on how Bill Nelson has done nothing to fix our broken immigration system. Governor Rick Scott said, “I have continued to say that I am completely opposed to this policy of separating children from their parents. While these parents did break our laws by entering the United States illegally, I do not believe our country should respond by tearing these families apart. With the exception of those legitimately seeking asylum from oppressive regimes, all those who enter illegally should be deported. “Let’s be very clear about this – the chaos at our border will continue until we secure the border. Washington’s failure to secure our border has been a bi-partisan failure for many decades. Bill Nelson first went to Washington when Jimmy Carter was President. Since that time, he has done nothing to secure our borders. He has done nothing to fix our broken immigration system. In 40 years, he has done nothing but talk. Does he want another 40 years to work on it? Washington is full of career politicians who are all talk but who produce no results, and Bill Nelson is exhibit A. “Now Bill Nelson has signed on to a bill in the Senate which would make ‘catch and release’ our new law at the border. This extremely liberal idea is a recipe for an open border. Legal immigration makes our country stronger; illegal immigration makes our country weaker. Bill Nelson favors open borders; I favor securing our border. Bill Nelson favors ‘catch and release;’ I favor ‘catch and send back’. So yes, there’s a legitimate disagreement.”

The endorsement follows the roll out of Governor Scott’s Florida Strong Coalition, which is made up of law enforcement and public safety advocates from across the state who want Florida to be the safest state in the nation – and who are ready to elect a new leader to the U.S. Senate that will take action to make that happen. HIALEAH, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott joined the Florida Police Chiefs Association in Hialeah to announce their endorsement of the governor’s campaign for U.S. Senate. This is the first time the Florida Police Chiefs Association, which includes more than 900 of the state’s top law enforcement executives, has endorsed a federal or U.S. Senate campaign. The Florida Police Chiefs Association recognized Governor Scott’s leadership during times of crisis, his commitment to maintaining open communication with law enforcement leaders, and his work championing investments and legislation that have supported public safety. Governor Rick Scott said, “It has been an honor to partner with Florida law enforcement during my time as governor to keep our families, visitors and communities safe, and I am proud to accept the unprecedented endorsement of the Florida Police Chiefs Association today. The Florida Police Chiefs Association and Florida’s law enforcement officials have worked nonstop to protect our state, even in the face of extreme challenges, which has helped Florida’s crime rate reach a 47-year low. I look forward to continuing to work together to bring our focus on public safety to Washington. Amy Mercer, Executive Director of the Florida Police Chiefs Association, said, “Governor Rick Scott is a true friend and partner to law enforcement across the state and it is an honor to offer our endorsement of his bid for the U.S. Senate. Today’s endorsement is a historic milestone for the Florida Police Chiefs Association as the first endorsement of a candidate for U.S. Senate. Governor Scott has demonstrated leadership in the face of immense challenges over the past seven and a half years, and unlike many career politicians in Washington, when Governor Scott makes a commitment, he follows through. Governor Scott has been a champion for public safety and a great friend to the law enforcement community, and we look forward to continuing to work with him to protect our families and communities once he is a member of the U.S. Senate.”