Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) was reportedly booed out of a restaurant as protesters vented their frustration over the state’s red algae tide crisis.
Scott was making a campaign stop in Venice, Fla., when he was met with angry protesters outside of Mojo’s Real Cuban restaurant on Monday, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported. The governor, who is term-limited under Florida’s Constitution, is currently in a tight race against incumbent Sen. Bill Nelson (D) for Nelson’s seat.
He entered the restaurant but only stayed about 10 minutes before he left to a booing crowd.
.@FLGovScott exits back door after just 10 minutes in restaurant crowd booing and shouting “coward” pic.twitter.com/ixiyxE1juV
— Zac Anderson (@zacjanderson) 17 September 2018
His supporters held up campaign signs and chanted “Rick Scott” to drown out the protesters.
.@FLGovScott avoided protesters and came in the back. Crowd inside restaurant chanting “Rick Scott” to drown out protesters outside. Music inside restaurant also super loud. pic.twitter.com/hIKOiedEFp
— Zac Anderson (@zacjanderson) 17 September 2018
Florida has been hit by a widespread epidemic of toxic algae — also known as red tide — that is harmful to humans and kills thousands of fish. The phenomenon is common in the Gulf of Mexico, but scientists said that global warming has increased the size and location of the problem.
