Florida Senator Bill Nelson (D) has never really faced a substantial Republican challenge when he first ran for the US Senate, or any of his subsequent runs for re-election.

The 2018 election cycle will be different as Florida Governor Rick Scott (R) is primed launched the first senatorial campaign that will test the veteran Nelson’s fundraising abilities popularity around the state.

Do we need to mention that Rick Scott will have millions of his dollars to sink into a senate campaign? No, but we just did.

But aside from Scott’s millions, national Republicans smell blood in Florida’s political waters, and are poised to spend millions more on trying to defeat Senator Nelson.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) has stepped up their efforts to damage Nelson, coupling him with other liberal Democrats like Senator Elizabeth Warren.

“Bill Nelson and Elizabeth Warren are two peas in a pod, but Florida families can’t afford a $32 trillion health care boondoggle…Floridians deserve to know if Bill is going to sacrifice their well-being to support Elizabeth Warren and her extreme government-run health care plan.”-NRSC Communications Director Katie Martin

Nelson has just reported that he raised another $2 million, bringing his cash on hand to about $5.1 million, this according to the Tampa Bay Times.

I think Scott makes $5 million in annual interest of some of his investments, so Nelson better step up his fundraising game in a big way.

President Trump, who is best buds with Scott, is also openly asking him to make the run. During Trump’s last visit to Miami, Trump reaffirmed his support for Scott, and wished that he would run for the senate in 2018.

While Nelson and Scott have exchanged  few barbs over the last year, the two men have stayed relatively quiet on the campaign trail.

This race will get ugly.