Republicans running for Congress have almost universally supported Florida Gov. Rick Scott in his U.S. Senate bid to unseat Democrat Sen. Bill Nelson.

The Treasure Coast's congressman is not one of them.

U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, R-Palm City, said his support is conditional: He backs candidates who support the clean-water efforts he's pushing to stop or greatly reduce Lake Okeechobee discharges into the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee rivers.

More: TCPalm's complete coverage of the algae crisis

Mast declined to endorse Scott at his news conference in downtown Stuart Tuesday morning, when TCPalm specifically asked him about the governor.

“I’m not going to support anybody who doesn’t support our water,” Mast said.

Mast added he supports any candidate who "comes out and supports our water," including Nelson and Sen. Marco Rubio, who is not running for re-election this cycle.

Water bill

Mast urged Rubio and Nelson to file a Senate companion to a bill he said he'd file Tuesday evening to make public health and safety, including preventing toxic algae blooms, the primary concern in managing Lake Okeechobee levels.

"Show us that you're going to make us the priority," Mast said.

Rubio and Nelson have not responded to TCPalm's questions about Mast's bill and comments about endorsements. A spokeswoman for Scott's campaign said they were reviewing the legislation.

GOP support

Some Republicans in Mast's district have been less supportive of Scott's Senate bid than Republicans in other parts of the state.

Scott faced pushback from Martin County Republicans in last week's primary, when 20 percent voted for his little-known opponent, perennial candidate and California businessman Rocky De La Fuente.

It's not the first time Mast has criticized Scott. When Scott toured the St. Lucie River by boat last month, Mast criticized him for not meeting with him, the public or the media.

Mast is running for re-election in a swing district against Democrat Lauren Baer. The district includes Martin, St. Lucie and north Palm Beach counties. Nonpartisan political analysts expect Mast to win the race.