Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell made headlines late last month when the longtime Kentucky Republican announced his plans to retire.

That has led to suggestions that former Florida Republican governor and current Sen. Rick Scott will try and become McConnell's replacement.

Scott: "I'm seriously considering it"

The Washington Examiner reported that Scott discussed his future late last week during an appearance on "The Charlie Kirk Show."

"I'm seriously considering it," Scott told Kirk when asked about whether he is planning to run for Senate minority leader.

"This is a big opportunity," he stressed. "We could actually have somebody that actually believes in this country and believes in solving the problems of this country running the Senate when we get a majority in November."

However, the Examiner noted that while speaking to reporters on Tuesday Scott said he is focused on his Senate reelection campaign and refused to discuss any leadership ambitions.

Scott also downplayed reports that he recently met with former President Donald Trump, telling the Examiner that he and the Republican frontrunner "just talked about how we’re both going to win our races."

Scott challenged McConnell's leadership last year

Scott has long been critical of McConnell and launched an unsuccessful challenge to his leadership after Republicans underperformed in the 2022 midterm elections.

The status quo is broken and big change is needed. It's time for new leadership in the Senate that unites Republicans to advance a bold conservative agenda.

That's why I'm running to be the Senate Republican Leader.https://t.co/B0rdMuR64Z

— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) November 15, 2022

"I'm writing to you today because I believe it’s time for the Senate Republican Conference to be far more bold and resolute than we have been in the past," Fox News quoted Scott as saying in a letter to his colleagues.

"We must start saying what we are for, not just what we are against," Scott continued before adding, "I do not believe we can simply continue to say the Democrats are radical, which they are. Republican voters expect and deserve to know our plan to promote and advance conservative values."

Scott likely to square off against McConnell's allies

The Examiner pointed out that should Scott decide to mount a leadership run, the Florida lawmaker is likely to face stiff competition.

His likely rivals include Senate Minority Whip John Thune as well as Texas Republican John Cornyn, both of whom are close McConnell allies.

While Senate Republican Conference Chairman John Barrasso had also been regarded as a potential contender, the Examiner reported that he will run for Thune's position of whip.