Steyer hits Rick Scott on oil ties in ad campaign
Billionaire Tom Steyer’s action group is targeting Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) in a new ad campaign launched Friday.
The TV ads hit Scott on his alleged connections to utilities and oil drilling near the Everglades.
{mosads}The first 30-second ad buy ties Scott to Duke Energy and Progress Energy through donations from the companies. It will run in the Tampa Bay market for several weeks, the group said.
“Rick Scott: For the powerful few, not you,” the ad states.
In the second ad, Steyer’s group NextGen Climate tethers Scott to oil companies that drilled near Florida’s Everglades, which raised concerns about water contamination.
The ad claims Scott received $200,000 from the industry, and again paints him as for the “powerful few.” The ad will run in Fort Meyers and West Palm Beach markets.
NextGen Climate wouldn’t provide details on the cost of the ad buy.
This week Scott unveiled a new environmental plan that he promised would go into effect if he were reelected this year.
Scott is facing Democratic candidate Charlie Crist, who has tried to distance himself from the incumbent on climate change.
Scott said he would increase state spending on the environment, dedicating $500 million to springs restoration over the next 10 years, The plan would also spend $500 million to develop alternative water supplies over the same period.
Scott also plans to focus on polluters and increase fines for repeat offenders. The new platform comes after Scott felt pressure to meet with climate scientists from Florida universities.
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