Arek Sarkissian

arek.sarkissian@naplesnews.com; 850-559-7620

TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Rick Scott, who offered early praise for Donald Trump before the Florida GOP primary, on Wednesday became the national chairman of the super PAC created to help the Republican presidential nominee in his general election campaign.

Scott, in a new release from the political action committee Rebuilding America Now, said he joined the group because it is time to fire politicians.

“That’s what this election is all about, and that’s why I am excited to chair Rebuilding America Now Super PAC to help Donald Trump,” Scott said. “If you like the way things are going in our country today, you should absolutely vote for Hillary Clinton."

“If you don’t, you must vote for Donald Trump.”

Scott joins Ken McKay, who is one of the advisers to his first gubernatorial campaigns. McKay, who worked on the presidential campaign of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, is helping run the PAC.

The committee reported about $2.1 million as of June 30, according to federal campaign records.

In the statement announcing his position at the PAC, Scott described former President Bill Clinton's speech Tuesday at the Democratic National Convention as a “laughable” attempt to label Hillary Clinton a ‘change maker.' ”

“Everyone in the world knows that she will be just more of the same,” Scott said.

The governor said he has known Trump for about 20 years and his status as a businessman and an outsider will bring change to Washington.

Scott also cited his first election in 2010 for governor in comparison to Trumps’ race for the White House.

“No one said I had a chance of beating the career politicians when I ran, but I won anyway,” Scott said. “We are going to win this presidential race, too.”

Scott was one of the first major political figure to speak highly of Trump. He wrote a letter published in the Jan. 6 edition of USA TODAY praising Trump for capturing the frustration of Americans unhappy with seven years of President Barack Obama.

Scott officially endorsed Trump via Twitter the day after he won the March 15 Florida primary.