Scott to skip Trump’s Tampa campaign rally

President Donald Trump is coming to Florida next week to fire up GOP voters and lend support to candidates he says will support his agenda, particularly his pick for governor U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis.

But Republican Gov. Rick Scott — who is running for Senate — won’t be joining him on stage during a rally that is expected to be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa.

Scott told a Tampa television reporter he has a fundraiser in Clearwater planned for that time, but he’ll meet with Trump earlier in the day when he visits Tampa Bay Technical High School. Scott is facing off against Democratic incumbent Sen. Bill Nelson in a race that is widely expected to be one of the most expensive and important in the country.

DeSantis has touted his endorsement from Trump on the campaign trail. He’s vying for the nomination against Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam.

Scott supported Trump during his 2016 campaign, but he has distanced himself from the president in recent weeks.

At a campaign stop in Boca Raton, Scott said he didn’t agree with Trump’s comments on Russia and its leader Vladimir Putin.

“I am campaigning on my own,” Scott said when asked if he would be inviting Trump to campaign with him in the fall. “There will be individuals who come down to campaign for other candidates, but I am focused on my race and making sure people are voting for me because I have a background of doing my job.”

According to a note from Trump campaign about the rally, the president will discuss the need for Floridians to support DeSantis, Scott and U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, RFort Walton Beach.