Gov. Rick Scott: 'I'm Staying Put in Florida'

TALLAHASSEE, FL — It looks like Florida Gov. Rick Scott won’t be trading Sunshine State oranges for Washington, D.C., cherry blossoms anytime soon. Following a Thursday meeting with President-elect Donald Trump, Scott reaffirmed he won’t be taking a post with the new administration.

Scott met with Trump in New York City Thursday. He tweeted about the meeting on Wednesday, saying he was looking forward to congratulating Trump “on his big win.” He also said he planned to offer his help “to reinvent the federal government.”

After meeting with the incoming commander-in-chief at Trump Tower, Scott granted an interview to Neil Cavuto of Fox News. It was during that interview he reiterated his decision on "staying put in Florida." He did say he’s offered Trump help to “rewrite Obamacare” and “redesign” government though.

Scott had been widely speculated to be one of the people on Trump’s short list for Secretary of Health and Human Services. After Dr. Ben Carson turned down a chance to serve in the administration, just who Trump will appoint remains up in the air.

Scott said last week he would politely decline such an appointment, saying he wants to do everything to help Trump but he loves his job in the Sunshine State.

During this weeks’ Republican Governors Association annual conference in Orlando, Scott hinted at a possible run for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Bill Nelson. He told reporters in Orlando that a 2018 run was an “option.” The timing would come as Scott would term out as Florida's governor.

Scott has been a staunch supporter of Trump’s campaign since the New York businessman won the Florida Presidential Preference Primary in March. In addition to imploring Republicans to end the “Stop Trump” movement, he also was named the national chair for Rebuilding America Now back in July. The super PAC was one of several that supported Trump’s campaign.

Just how serious Scott is exploring a run against Nelson, a Democrat who first won his seat in 2000, remains unclear.

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, also a Trump supporter, has been named to the president-elect's transition team. What role, if any, she’ll play in the Trump Administration after the transition remains unclear.

Photo of Trump and Scott via Gov. Rick Scott’s Twitter feed