Kentucky Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell made headlines earlier this year when the lawmaker announced plans to step down as Senate minority leader.

McConnell's decision has opened the door for a potential takeover by Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott. 

 Scott: "I know there has to be a change"

According to the Tallahassee Democrat, Scott is widely regarded as being "a longshot" in his quest to become the GOP's Senate leader.

The Florida lawmaker is expected to square off against Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn and South Dakota Republican Sen. John Thune, who currently serves as minority whip.

With Republicans back in control, Florida U.S. Sen. Rick Scott is vying for majority leader. https://t.co/8Tb1UqqJ3c

— Tallahassee Democrat (@TDOnline) November 7, 2024

Scott launched an unsuccessfully sought to wrest power from McConnell in October of 2022, an effort he referenced when speaking with supporters on Tuesday evening.

"Next week, we have another election: Senate Republican Leader," he stated. "Two years ago, I challenged Mitch McConnell, because I know there has to be a change. We have a great Republican Party all across this country."

Senator says "Florida is the center of the Republican Party"

"We need a Republican Party in D.C.," Scott declared. "We need a Republican Party to start solving the problems of this country, and we have a significant number of problems. Florida is the center of the Republican Party of this country."

While McConnell is credited with holding Justice Antonin Scalia's Supreme Court seat open following his death in 2016, the Kentucky senator's leadership has been sharply criticized by some Republicans.

One of them is Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, who voiced frustration over McConnell's decision while speaking with Fox News.

Ted Cruz says McConnell operates like "a one-man dictator"

"He's basically behaved as a one-man dictator. I don't think we want a leader who does that," Cruz complained on Monday.

I think when we win in November, and I believe we’re going to see a really good election, I think Trump’s going to win," he predicted. "I think we’re going to win a Republican Senate and Republican House. When that happens, we’ve got enormous work to do when that happens."

Cruz went on to add that he would like to see "a majority leader who changes how the Senate operates, who democratizes it more."