NH politics: Sen. Rick Scott headlines New Hampshire GOP dinner

CONCORD, N.H. —

U.S. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Florida) visited the Granite State on Friday.

Scott is getting some quality time in New Hampshire, headlining the New Hampshire GOP Amos Tuck Dinner.

In a one-on-one interview with News 9, the Florida Republican said he loves the GOP ticket in the Granite State, but he is particularly interested in gaining a GOP colleague.

“I think John is clearly going to win. One, he’s really well thought of. As I talk to people in New Hampshire, they think John will be, again, a great U.S. senator. He was a great U.S. Senator. He’s well thought of in D.C.,” Scott said. “He represents New Hampshire. He’s independent-thinking. He’s not going to be somebody that votes the party line. He’s going to focus on what’s good for the state, and I think that’s why he’s going to win.”

Scott has been a reliable visitor and fundraiser for New Hampshire republicans for the last several years.

When asked if he would be back to the Granite State to potentially run for president in the future, Scott said he has other priorities.

“No. I’m focused on helping candidates win. I’ve been traveling around the country helping people win,” Scott said.

Analysts expect more U.S. senators dropping in from both sides of the aisle over the next six weeks.

“They know that this could tip the scales in the U.S. Senate, so they’re going to devote a lot of effort,” Neil Levesque with the New Hampshire Institute of Politics said.