Sen. Rick Scott, joined by local Hispanic coalition leaders and elected officials, came to Kissimmee Thursday to rally support for the election. PHOTO/KEN JACKSON
In a statewide Florida election, having the upper hand in Osceola County can be key.
Win Osceola, and you’re in good position to be a force in the I-4 corridor. Win the corridor, and you have a leg up to win the state.
That’s how Rick Scott sees it. Joined by leaders of his numerous Hispanic coalitions, leading the charge for groups like native Puerto Ricans, Venezuelans, Colombians, Ecuadorians and Cubans, the sitting U.S. Senator and former Florida governor stopped in Kissimmee Thursday afternoon to rally support for his re-election campaign.
With some polls showing he’s in a close race with Democratic challenger Debbie Mucarsel-Powell – who ironically is Ecuadorian-American and South American-born, Scott said the Hispanic vote will be critical to this race and implored those voters to head out to the polls when they open for early voting Monday, or send in their vote-by-mail ballots.
“This is a great country; every child has the opportunity to live their dream,” Scott said at the gathering at the Advance Community Center. “I’m going to do everything I can to make sure that’s true.
“If our Hispanic voters vote, it changes elections. Every four years, Hispanics are more of the total votes. The way you win, is you go vote. It’s important who you send to Tallahassee, and who you send to Washington, D.C. This community works well to get things done.”
Those gathered also heard from those rallying local Hispanic groups to vote.
“The opponent is running ads full of lies, she can’t be trusted,” said Bob Cortes, a former state representative and head of the Puerto Rican coalition for Scott. “Have any of you ever even seen Debbie Murcarsel-Powell, other than in pictures?”
