TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – The race between Sen. Rick Scott and former U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell enters its final stretch ahead of Election Day. As the end approaches, the temperature between the campaigns remains high.

In an attack ad, Mucarsel-Powell depicted Scott as a snake while criticizing his leadership over a healthcare company decades ago. That company was fined $1.7 billion after a Medicare and Medicaid fraud investigation.

While in Tampa Bay last week, the senator was asked about it.

“I haven’t seen it,” Scott said. “My opponent is silly. She’s a silly socialist. She’s not serious about anything. She lies about everything.”

The ‘socialist’ label was also used in an attack ad about Mucarsel-Powell’s voting history in the House when it comes to aid for migrants. While in Tampa last week, Mucarsel-Powell pushed back on the socialist title and the criticism of her voting record.

“It’s an insult because it’s a false attack. It’s an insult to the legacy of my mom who had to fell Ecuador. It’s an insult to people who had to flee Venezuela; Cuba,” Mucarsel-Powell said. “It’s typical of someone who is, again, running scared. He is the least bipartisan member in the senate.”

The Democratic hopeful also challenged Scott to a debate. The senator explained why he never accepted.

“We went through a few hurricanes, three bad storms. We worked on that. We got back. We campaign every day,” Scott said.

His opponent didn’t buy the explanation.

“I think it’s a dereliction of duty, to be honest with you,” Mucarsel-Powell said.

USF Political Science Professor J. Edwin Benton also weighed in on the debate.  

“I think you’d have to conclude he would have more to lose than to gain from entering into a debate with his opponent,” Benton said.

When it comes to the U.S. Senate, Scott hopes to replace Leader Mitch McConnell, if re-elected by Floridians.

Professor Benton said that’s a plus for Floridians, if he wins that position in the chamber.

“He could steer legislation that would be positive policy toward Florida,” Benton said.

Benton also said if Mucarsel-Powell wins the election, Democrats will make sure they keep Sunshine State in mind.

“They would do everything in their power to appoint her to committees where she can be influential to help Floridians,” Benton said. Records show the candidates have raised a combined $70 million to battle it out in Florida.