In not altogether unexpected news, Florida Senator Rick Scott has endorsed Donald Trump for president, penning an op-ed urging his fellow Republicans to unite "behind one candidate, and declare with one voice that we are united in our efforts to defeat Joe Biden and rescue America."

The endorsement is not unexpected because Trump and Scott have been tight for many years; in fact, Scott ran a pro-Trump super PAC in 2016. 

I’m proud to endorse @realDonaldTrump.

It’s time for the Republican Party to come together, behind one candidate, and declare with one voice that we are united in our efforts to defeat Joe Biden and rescue America.https://t.co/HtaAtG6Biu

— Rick Scott (@ScottforFlorida) November 2, 2023

Scott went on to say: 

"I know most of the candidates running for president, and I respect their decision to put themselves through this very difficult process. They’ve made their case to voters, laid out their agendas and their plans, and told their stories. Make no mistake: every single one of them would be a better president than Joe Biden. But Republican voters are making their voices heard loud and clear. They want to return to the leadership of Donald Trump."

So, what about Ron DeSantis? Could Scott's endorsement of Trump be seen as a snub of DeSantis, his fellow Floridian and gubernatorial successor? It appears so.

The DeSantis campaign was quick to respond to the endorsement, with spokesman Andrew Romeo releasing the following statement:

“Ron DeSantis has more endorsements from state legislators than the former president in Iowa (41), New Hampshire (62), and South Carolina (16). He also has the support of almost all Florida elected officials because he worked with them to deliver historic results for the conservative movement. The governor will win his home state because Floridians want to see a fighter who will bring the same type of results-oriented leadership to Washington that he has provided in the Sunshine State.”

In throwing his support behind Trump and urging his party to unite behind one candidate, Scott stops just short of calling on the other presidential hopefuls to drop out of the race. He wouldn't dare do that at this point, of course, because not even one primary vote has been cast yet. 

National polling does favor Trump by quite a large margin, but Scott's fellow senator from Florida, Marco Rubio, seems to be letting the presidential primary play out before making an endorsement. 

The first votes of the GOP presidential primary will be cast January 15, 2024, at the Iowa caucuses.