2018 United States Senate election in Florida
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Turnout | 61.68% | ||||||||||||||||
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250px County results
Scott: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% Nelson: 50–60% 60–70% |
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The 2018 United States Senate election in Florida was held on November 6, 2018, alongside a gubernatorial election, elections to the U.S. House of Representatives and other state and local elections. Incumbent Democratic Senator Bill Nelson ran for re-election to a fourth term, but was very narrowly defeated by Republican Governor Rick Scott, in one of the closest statewide elections in the state's history.
The results of the race were in dispute for 12 days following the election. Initial returns showed Nelson narrowly trailing Scott, but the margin remained below 0.5%, triggering an automatic recount under Florida law. A controversial recount ensued, with both campaigns claiming irregularities. Following the recount, Florida elections officials announced on November 18, 2018 that Scott had prevailed. Scott received 50.05% of the vote, while Nelson received 49.93%; the margin of victory was 10,033 votes out of 8.19 million votes cast. Nelson then conceded the race to Scott. Both in terms of raw vote margin and by percentage of difference, this was the closest Senate election in the 2018 cycle. Scott's victory marks the first time since the Reconstruction era that Republicans have held both Senate seats in Florida.[1] This was also the first statewide election of Scott's political career in which he received a majority of votes cast.
Contents
Background
As of the second quarter of 2018, incumbent Democratic Senator Bill Nelson had a 44%-34% approval rating among his constituents.[2] Republican President Donald Trump also held a positive approval rating of 49%-47% in Florida as of August 2018.[3] Trump won the state in 2016 by 1.2% over Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. Nelson was challenged by term-limited Governor Rick Scott, who put more than $86 million of his own money into his successful 2010 and 2014 gubernatorial bids.[4] Despite having won re-election in 2012 by a 13% margin, Nelson was considered potentially vulnerable; he had been the only statewide elected Democrat in Florida since 2011, and his previous opponents, Connie Mack IV and Katherine Harris, were seen as much weaker challengers than Scott. Additionally, he was one of 10 incumbent Democratic Senators running in a state that had been carried by President Trump in 2016. Nelson was described as a "low-key centrist" that might not be able to energize progressive voters.[5]
After being encouraged by President Trump to enter the Senate race,[6] Scott announced his candidacy on April 9, 2018, weeks after the end of his final regular legislative session as governor.[7] During the campaign, Scott sought to avoid mentioning President Trump and at times criticized or distanced himself from actions of the Trump administration, whereas in the past he used his friendship with Trump to boost his profile and had been an early and vocal supporter of Trump in 2016 [8][9] and was reported to speak to President Trump every one or two weeks by The Tampa Bay Times.[8] Nevertheless, Trump endorsed Scott in his Senate bid.[9] As of the first quarter of 2018, Scott held a 54%-35% approval rating[10] among his constituents, with a majority of Florida voters believing the state was moving in the right direction under Scott's administration.
Both Nelson's and Scott's responses to Hurricanes Irma and Michael, which made landfall in September 2017 and October 2018 respectively, were closely watched during the campaign season.[11]
Republican primary
The Republican primary was considered merely a formality, as Governor Scott's lone challenger was a perennial candidate who was running for Senate seats in eight other Republican primaries across the country. No other notable Republicans entered the race before or after Scott announced his candidacy.[12]
Candidates
Nominee
- Rick Scott, incumbent Governor of Florida[13]
Eliminated in primary
- Rocky De La Fuente, businessman and perennial candidate; American Delta and Reform nominee for President in 2016[14]
Withdrew
- Virginia Fuller, registered nurse; Republican nominee for U.S. Representative from CA-11 in 2012[15][16]
- Alexander George, businessman, political activist, and minister; candidate for U.S. Senate in 2012[17]
- Augustus Sol Invictus, far-right activist; candidate for U.S. Senate in 2016[18][19]
- Lateresa Jones, life coach; Independent candidate for lieutenant governor in 2014 and U.S. Senate in 2016[20][21] (running as a write-in candidate)
- Martin Mikhail[22]
- Mike Pompura[23]
- Joseph Smith, chiropractor; candidate for U.S. Senate in 1988 and FL-19 in 1996; Republican nominee for FL-16 in 1988[24][25]
- Marcia R. Thorne, pastor[26][27] (ran as an Independent)
- Angela Marie Walls-Windhauser, candidate for U.S. Senate in 2016[28][29] (ran as a write-in candidate)
Declined
- Jeff Atwater, Chief Financial Officer 2011–2017[30]
- Carlos Beruff, real estate developer and Republican donor; candidate for U.S. Senate in 2016[31]
- Pam Bondi, Attorney General since 2011[32]
- Richard Corcoran, State Representative (District 37) since 2010; Speaker of the Florida House since 2016[33]
- John Delaney, Mayor of Jacksonville 1995–2003[34]
- Ron DeSantis, U.S. Representative from FL-6 2013–2018; candidate for U.S. Senate in 2016[31][35] (running for governor)
- Hulk Hogan, semi-retired professional wrestler, actor, television personality, entrepreneur, and musician[36]
- David Jolly, U.S. Representative from FL-13 2014–2017; candidate for U.S. Senate in 2016[31][37]
- Carlos López-Cantera, Lieutenant Governor since 2014; candidate for U.S. Senate in 2016[31][38]
- Tom Rooney, U.S. Representative from FL-17 since 2009[39]
Polling
Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Rocky De La Fuente |
Rick Scott |
Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gravis Marketing | August 21–25, 2018 | 579 | ± 4.1% | 12% | 73% | 15% |
Gravis Marketing | August 21–22, 2018 | 321 | ± 5.5% | 12% | 73% | 15% |
Gravis Marketing | July 13–14, 2018 | 905 | ± 3.3% | 16% | 74% | 10% |
Hypothetical polling | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Results
Republican primary results[40] | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
Republican | Rick Scott | 1,456,187 | 88.61% | |
Republican | Rocky De La Fuente | 187,209 | 11.39% | |
Total votes | 1,643,396 | 100% |
Democratic primary
As both of Senator Nelson's primary opponents failed to qualify for the ballot, no Democratic primary was held.[12]
Candidates
Nominee
- Bill Nelson, incumbent U.S. Senator since 2001; U.S. Representative from FL-11 1979–1991[41]
Declined
- Randolph Bracy, State Senator (District 11) since 2016[42]
- Tim Canova, law professor specializing in banking and finance; candidate for FL-23 in 2016[5][43] (running for FL-23)
- Pam Keith, Navy veteran, labor attorney; candidate for U.S. Senate in 2016[5][44] (ran for FL-18)
Withdrew
- Tamika Lyles, Air Force veteran, mediator, and philanthropist[45]
- Randy White, pastor, bishop, philanthropist, and activist[46]
Libertarian Party
Candidates
Withdrew
Declined
- Augustus Sol Invictus, far-right activist; candidate for U.S. Senate in 2016[47][18] (ran as a Republican)
- Roger Stone, political consultant, lobbyist, and strategist[47]
American Independent Party
Candidates
Withdrew
Independents and write-ins
Candidates
Declared
- Lateresa Jones, life coach; candidate for lieutenant governor in 2014 and U.S. Senate in 2016[20][51] (write-in)
- Howard Knepper, businessman and real estate developer; candidate for President in 2012[24][52] (write-in)
- Michael S. Levinson, candidate for FL-13 in 2014 and the 2014 special election[53] (write-in)
- Charles Frederick Tolbert, pastor[54] (write-in)
- David Weeks[55][56] (write-in)
Withdrew
- Edward Janowski[57][58]
- Scott McCatty[59] (write-in)
- Marcia R. Thorne, pastor[27]
- Angela Marie Walls-Windhauser, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in 2016[28][29] (write-in)
General election
The election was expected to be a key race in determining which party would control the U.S. Senate in 2019.[60] According to The Cook Political Report, the race was one of the 10 most competitive U.S. Senate races in the nation.[61] It was also described as the most expensive U.S. Senate race in the country.[62][63]
Scott's involvement in a large Medicare fraud case stirred controversy during the general election campaign.[64][65] Scott responded with ads accusing Nelson of having cut Medicare benefits and stolen from Medicare; fact-checkers found that both of Scott's assertions were "mostly false."[66][64] During the campaign, Scott characterized Nelson as a "socialist"; PolitiFact described the assertion as "pants-on-fire" false.[67]
Gun control was a key issue in this race. The election comes less than nine months after the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, the deadliest school shooting in American history. Nelson also mentioned the Orlando nightclub shooting that occurred in June 2016 and killed 49 people, stating that "nothing was done" by Scott's administration. In the wake of Stoneman Douglas, Scott raised the age to purchase a gun from 18 to 21, set a three-day waiting period to purchase assault-style weapons, and banned bump stocks, moves that Nelson described as "doing the bare minimum." The National Rifle Association opposed Scott's legislation.[68]
Environmental issues also took on a prominent role in the race. Scott and his administration had been heavily criticized for weakening regulations designed to protect the environment, even going as far as to instruct the FDEP not to use the words "climate change" or "global warming" in official reports.[69] Because of this, Scott was blamed for the state's worsening algae blooms, even being dubbed "Red Tide Rick" on social media. Scott blamed the toxic blooms on Nelson and on Congress' general inefficiency.[70]
Debates
- Complete video of debate, October 2, 2018
Endorsements
Declined to endorse |
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Predictions
Source | Ranking | As of |
---|---|---|
The Cook Political Report[182] | Tossup | October 26, 2018 |
Inside Elections[183] | Tilt D | November 1, 2018 |
Sabato's Crystal Ball[184] | Lean D | November 5, 2018 |
CNN[185] | Tossup | November 5, 2018 |
RealClearPolitics[186] | Tossup | November 5, 2018 |
Daily Kos[187] | Tossup | November 5, 2018 |
FiveThirtyEight[188] | Lean D | November 5, 2018 |
Fundraising
Campaign finance reports as of October 17, 2018 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Candidate (party) | Total receipts | Total disbursements | Cash on hand |
Rick Scott (R) | $68,801,011 | $66,496,248 | $2,304,762 |
Bill Nelson (D) Incumbent | $28,294,713 | $25,482,421 | $3,806,614 |
Source: Federal Election Commission[189] |
Polling
Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Bill Nelson (D) |
Rick Scott (R) |
Other | Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The Trafalgar Group (R) | November 4–5, 2018 | 1,484 | ± 2.5% | 47% | 49% | – | 4% |
HarrisX | November 3–5, 2018 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 48% | 48% | – | – |
St. Pete Polls | November 3–4, 2018 | 3,088 | ± 1.8% | 50% | 46% | – | 4% |
HarrisX | November 2–4, 2018 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 45% | 49% | – | – |
Quinnipiac University | October 29 – November 4, 2018 | 1,142 | ± 3.5% | 51% | 44% | 0% | 5% |
Emerson College | November 1–3, 2018 | 784 | ± 3.7% | 50% | 45% | 3% | 3% |
HarrisX | November 1–3, 2018 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 45% | 47% | – | – |
Research Co. | November 1–3, 2018 | 450 | ± 4.6% | 47% | 46% | – | 7% |
Change Research (D-Reason to Believe PAC) | November 1–2, 2018 | 1,236 | – | 50% | 48% | – | – |
St. Pete Polls | November 1–2, 2018 | 2,733 | ± 1.9% | 48% | 49% | – | 3% |
HarrisX | October 31 – November 2, 2018 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 46% | 48% | – | – |
Marist College | October 30 – November 2, 2018 | 595 LV | ± 5.0% | 50% | 46% | <1% | 4% |
917 RV | ± 4.1% | 50% | 45% | <1% | 5% | ||
Gravis Marketing | October 29 – November 2, 2018 | 753 | ± 3.6% | 50% | 47% | – | 4% |
HarrisX | October 30 – November 1, 2018 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 45% | 50% | – | – |
St. Pete Polls | October 30–31, 2018 | 2,470 | ± 2.0% | 49% | 47% | – | 3% |
Targoz Market Research | October 28–31, 2018 | 558 | – | 45% | 49% | – | 6% |
HarrisX | October 29–31, 2018 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 45% | 48% | – | – |
The Trafalgar Group (R) | October 29–30, 2018 | 2,543 | ± 1.9% | 49% | 47% | – | 4% |
Vox Populi Polling | October 27–30, 2018 | 696 | ± 3.7% | 50% | 50% | – | – |
HarrisX | October 24–30, 2018 | 1,400 | ± 2.6% | 43% | 44% | – | – |
Cygnal (R) | October 27–29, 2018 | 495 | ± 4.4% | 50% | 48% | – | 2% |
CNN/SSRS | October 24–29, 2018 | 781 LV | ± 4.3% | 49% | 47% | 0% | 2% |
887 RV | ± 4.0% | 46% | 46% | 0% | 5% | ||
Suffolk University | October 25–28, 2018 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 45% | 43% | – | 10% |
NYT Upshot/Siena College | October 23–27, 2018 | 737 | ± 4.0% | 48% | 44% | – | 8% |
University of North Florida | October 23–26, 2018 | 1,051 | ± 3.0% | 47% | 46% | <1% | 7% |
YouGov | October 23–26, 2018 | 991 | ± 4.0% | 46% | 46% | 1% | 6% |
Ipsos | October 17–25, 2018 | 1,069 | ± 3.4% | 49% | 44% | 3% | 4% |
Gravis Marketing | October 22–23, 2018 | 773 | ± 3.5% | 49% | 45% | – | 6% |
Strategic Research Associates | October 16–23, 2018 | 800 | ± 3.5% | 46% | 45% | – | 9% |
Saint Leo University | October 16–22, 2018 | 698 | ± 3.5% | 47% | 38% | 6% | 9% |
St. Pete Polls | October 20–21, 2018 | 1,575 | ± 2.5% | 48% | 49% | – | 3% |
Florida Atlantic University | October 18–21, 2018 | 704 | ± 3.6% | 41% | 42% | 4% | 13% |
SurveyUSA | October 18–21, 2018 | 665 | ± 5.0% | 49% | 41% | 4% | 6% |
Quinnipiac University | October 17–21, 2018 | 1,161 | ± 3.5% | 52% | 46% | 0% | 2% |
Schroth, Eldon and Associates (D) | October 17–20, 2018 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 45% | 47% | – | 9% |
CNN/SSRS | October 16–20, 2018 | 759 LV | ± 4.2% | 50% | 45% | 0% | 3% |
872 RV | ± 3.9% | 49% | 45% | 0% | 4% | ||
OnMessage Inc. (R-Scott) | October 14–18, 2018 | 2,200 | ± 2.1% | 46% | 51% | – | 3% |
St. Pete Polls | October 15–16, 2018 | 1,974 | ± 2.2% | 47% | 49% | – | 4% |
Florida Southern College | October 1–5, 2018 | 476 | ± 4.5% | 44% | 46% | 6% | 4% |
Kaiser Family Foundation/SSRS | September 19 – October 2, 2018 | 522 | ± 6.0% | 48% | 45% | 1% | 6% |
St. Pete Polls | September 29–30, 2018 | 2,313 | ± 2.0% | 47% | 47% | – | 6% |
Public Policy Polling (D-Protect Our Care) | September 28–30, 2018 | 779 | ± 3.5% | 48% | 44% | – | 9% |
Strategic Research Associates | September 17–30, 2018 | 800 | ± 3.5% | 45% | 44% | – | 11% |
Mason-Dixon | September 24–27, 2018 | 815 | ± 3.5% | 47% | 46% | – | 7% |
Quinnipiac University | September 20–24, 2018 | 888 | ± 4.0% | 53% | 46% | 0% | 1% |
Cherry Communications | September 19–24, 2018 | 622 | ± 4.4% | 48% | 46% | – | – |
Marist College | September 16–20, 2018 | 600 LV | ± 4.7% | 48% | 45% | 1% | 6% |
829 RV | ± 4.0% | 48% | 43% | 1% | 7% | ||
University of North Florida | September 17–19, 2018 | 603 | – | 45% | 45% | 1% | 9% |
Florida Atlantic University | September 13–16, 2018 | 850 | ± 3.3% | 41% | 42% | 5% | 11% |
Ipsos | September 5–12, 2018 | 1,000 | ± 4.0% | 45% | 46% | 4% | 6% |
Rasmussen Reports | September 10–11, 2018 | 800 | ± 3.5% | 45% | 44% | 5% | 6% |
SurveyUSA | September 7–9, 2018 | 634 | ± 5.3% | 44% | 46% | 4% | 7% |
Quinnipiac University | August 30 – September 3, 2018 | 785 | ± 4.3% | 49% | 49% | 0% | 2% |
Gravis Marketing | August 29–30, 2018 | 1,225 | ± 2.8% | 47% | 47% | – | 6% |
Public Policy Polling (D-EDGE Comms.) | August 29–30, 2018 | 743 | ± 4.0% | 46% | 45% | – | 8% |
St. Pete Polls | August 29–30, 2018 | 1,755 | ± 2.3% | 47% | 47% | – | 5% |
Florida Atlantic University | August 16–20, 2018 | 800 | ± 3.4% | 39% | 45% | – | 17% |
Saint Leo University | August 10–16, 2018 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 36% | 40% | 8% | 15% |
Mason-Dixon | July 24–25, 2018 | 625 | ± 4.0% | 44% | 47% | – | 9% |
Florida Atlantic University | July 20–21, 2018 | 800 | ± 3.4% | 40% | 44% | – | 17% |
Gravis Marketing | July 13–14, 2018 | 1,840 | ± 2.3% | 47% | 43% | – | 10% |
SurveyMonkey/Axios | June 11 – July 2, 2018 | 1,080 | ± 5.0% | 46% | 49% | – | 5% |
YouGov | June 19–22, 2018 | 839 LV | – | 41% | 46% | 6% | 6% |
996 RV | ± 3.5% | 40% | 42% | 6% | 9% | ||
Marist College | June 17–21, 2018 | 947 | ± 3.9% | 49% | 45% | 1% | 5% |
Public Policy Polling (D-EDGE Comms.) | June 18–19, 2018 | 1,308 | ± 3.2% | 48% | 46% | – | 7% |
Gravis Marketing | May 31 – June 15, 2018 | 1,251 | ± 2.8% | 50% | 40% | – | 10% |
Cherry Communications | May 25 – June 4, 2018 | 605 | ± 4.0% | 45% | 48% | – | 5% |
Saint Leo University | May 25–31, 2018 | 506 | ± 4.5% | 34% | 40% | 8% | 18% |
Morning Consult | May 29–30, 2018 | 1,199 | ± 3.0% | 39% | 40% | – | – |
Florida Atlantic University | May 4–7, 2018 | 728 LV | – | 45% | 45% | – | – |
1,000 RV | ± 3.0% | 40% | 44% | – | 16% | ||
Public Policy Polling (D-Levine) | April 10–11, 2018 | 661 | ± 3.9% | 50% | 44% | – | 6% |
Gravis Marketing | February 26 – March 19, 2018 | 2,212 | ± 2.1% | 44% | 40% | – | 16% |
McLaughlin & Associates (R-NR PAC) | March 10–13, 2018 | 800 | ± 3.4% | 46% | 47% | – | 6% |
Clearview Research | March 1–7, 2018 | 750 | ± 3.6% | 41% | 43% | – | 16% |
SurveyMonkey/Axios | February 12 – March 5, 2018 | 1,806 | ± 5.0% | 53% | 43% | – | 4% |
Quinnipiac University | February 23–26, 2018 | 1,156 | ± 3.6% | 46% | 42% | 2% | 9% |
Florida Atlantic University | February 23–25, 2018 | 800 | ± 3.6% | 40% | 38% | – | 22% |
Saint Leo University | February 18–24, 2018 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 35% | 42% | 9% | 15% |
Gravis Marketing | February 1–18, 2018 | 1,978 | ± 2.2% | 44% | 40% | – | 16% |
Florida Atlantic University | February 1–4, 2018 | 750 | ± 3.7% | 34% | 44% | – | 22% |
University of North Florida | January 29 – February 4, 2018 | 429 | ± 4.7% | 48% | 42% | 2% | 7% |
Mason-Dixon | January 30 – February 1, 2018 | 625 | ± 4.0% | 45% | 44% | – | 11% |
Dixie Strategies | January 9–10, 2018 | 785 | ± 3.5% | 38% | 35% | – | 27% |
Gravis Marketing | December 19–24, 2017 | 5,778 | ± 1.3% | 44% | 39% | – | 17% |
Saint Leo University | November 19–24, 2017 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 32% | 42% | 8% | 18% |
Mason-Dixon | October 17–19, 2017 | 625 | ± 4.0% | 44% | 44% | – | 12% |
University of North Florida | October 11–17, 2017 | 706 | ± 3.4% | 37% | 36% | 7% | 20% |
Cherry Communications | September 17–24, 2017 | 615 | ± 4.0% | 45% | 47% | – | 8% |
Saint Leo University | September 10–16, 2017 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 33% | 35% | 11% | 21% |
Florida Atlantic University | August 24–26, 2017 | 800 | ± 4.0% | 42% | 40% | – | 18% |
Gravis Marketing | April 4–10, 2017 | 1,243 | ± 2.8% | 56% | 28% | – | 16% |
Gravis Marketing | March 28–29, 2017 | 1,453 | ± 2.6% | 52% | 37% | – | 12% |
Cherry Communications | March 6–14, 2017 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 48% | 42% | – | 10% |
Saint Leo University | March 3–11, 2017 | 507 | ± 4.5% | 39% | 34% | 10% | 17% |
Public Opinion Strategies (R-FHA) | March 1–5, 2017 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 46% | 44% | – | 10% |
Mason-Dixon | February 24–28, 2017 | 625 | ± 4.0% | 46% | 41% | – | 13% |
University of North Florida | February 13–26, 2017 | 957 | ± 3.1% | 44% | 38% | 3% | 12% |
Gravis Marketing | November 22–25, 2016 | 3,250 | ± 2.4% | 51% | 38% | – | 11% |
Public Policy Polling | September 4–6, 2016 | 744 | ± 3.6% | 45% | 41% | – | 14% |
Public Policy Polling | September 11–13, 2015 | 814 | ± 3.4% | 46% | 42% | – | 12% |
Public Policy Polling | March 19–22, 2015 | 923 | ± 3.2% | 47% | 43% | – | 10% |
Hypothetical polling | ||||||||||||||
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Initial results and recount
The results of the race were in dispute for 12 days following the election. Because Scott's lead over Nelson was less than 0.5% of the vote, an automatic recount was triggered under Florida law.[190][191] A controversial recount ensued, with both campaigns claiming irregularities.[192]
Both candidates traded accusations of voter suppression and voter fraud.[193] Two lawsuits were filed by the Scott campaign after the election against the Supervisor of Elections in both Palm Beach and Broward Counties while the Nelson campaign filed one against the Secretary of State in Florida. On November 9, the Scott campaign won both of their lawsuits while the Secretary of State lawsuit has yet to be decided.[194][195] Notably, election officials in Broward County had to receive police protection after accusations of voter fraud were made by a few members of Congress.[196]
Additionally, a number of mail-in ballots were found in a mail distribution center in the city of Opa-locka three days after the election. The Miami-Dade Elections Department considered the votes to be uncountable due to not making it to the department by the close of polls.[197]
The deadline for all ballots to be machine counted was 3pm EST on Thursday, November 15, 2018, and the revised totals triggered a statewide hand-recount of rejected ballots (also for Florida Agriculture Commissioner). At least three counties (Broward, Hillsborough, and Palm Beach County) missed the deadline.[198][199]
- Broward: Finished machine count before the deadline, but started the upload of results around 2:45 pm EST and finished uploading at 3:02 pm EST. The upload was rejected due to being past the deadline.[200]
- Hillsborough: The loss of 846 votes in machine counting. This was presumed to be due to a power outage.[201][198]
- Palm Beach: Machines bought from Sequoia Voting Systems ended up breaking down on the 13th, forcing a new recount on approximately 175,000 votes. Upon completing the second recount, 30 precincts had tallies that differed from the tallies completed on the day of the election.[202]
In addition, Lee County determined that they had not properly sorted out the amount of undervotes on ballots for manual recount. The initial number was approximately 4,000 votes before the machine recount brought the number to around 15,000 votes. This delayed the counting process until the votes were properly separated.[203]
Results
Florida elections officials announced on November 18, 2018 that Scott had prevailed. Scott received 50.05% of the vote, while Nelson received 49.93%; the margin of victory was 10,033 votes out of 8.19 million votes cast. Nelson then conceded the race to Scott.[204]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Rick Scott | 4,099,505 | 50.06% | +7.82% | |
Democratic | Bill Nelson (incumbent) | 4,089,472 | 49.93% | -5.30% | |
Write-in | 607 | <0.01% | N/A | ||
Total votes | 8,190,005 | 100% | N/A | ||
Republican gain from Democratic |
Edison Research exit poll
Demographic subgroup | Nelson | Scott | No Answer |
% of Voters |
---|---|---|---|---|
Gender | ||||
Men | 42 | 58 | N/A | 45 |
Women | 56 | 43 | 1 | 55 |
Age | ||||
18–24 years old | 62 | 38 | N/A | 5 |
25–29 years old | 71 | 26 | 3 | 5 |
30–39 years old | 61 | 37 | 2 | 10 |
40–49 years old | 49 | 50 | 1 | 12 |
50–64 years old | 49 | 50 | 1 | 31 |
65 and older | 43 | 57 | N/A | 37 |
Race | ||||
White | 40 | 60 | N/A | 66 |
Black | 90 | 10 | N/A | 13 |
Latino | 54 | 45 | 1 | 15 |
Asian | N/A | N/A | N/A | 2 |
Other | 66 | 32 | 2 | 4 |
Race by gender | ||||
White men | 32 | 68 | N/A | 31 |
White women | 47 | 53 | N/A | 35 |
Black men | 88 | 12 | N/A | 6 |
Black women | 91 | 9 | N/A | 8 |
Latino men | 49 | 51 | N/A | 6 |
Latina women | 57 | 41 | 2 | 9 |
Others | 65 | 32 | 3 | 5 |
Education | ||||
High school or less | 46 | 53 | 1 | 20 |
Some college education | 50 | 49 | 1 | 25 |
Associate degree | 47 | 52 | 1 | 15 |
Bachelor's degree | 48 | 52 | N/A | 24 |
Advanced degree | 58 | 41 | 1 | 16 |
Education and race | ||||
White college graduates | 47 | 53 | N/A | 28 |
White no college degree | 34 | 65 | 1 | 38 |
Non-white college graduates | 63 | 36 | 1 | 12 |
Non-white no college degree | 73 | 25 | 2 | 22 |
Whites by education and gender | ||||
White women with college degrees | 58 | 42 | N/A | 13 |
White women without college degrees | 40 | 60 | N/A | 22 |
White men with college degrees | 37 | 63 | N/A | 14 |
White men without college degrees | 27 | 73 | N/A | 17 |
Non-whites | 70 | 29 | 1 | 34 |
Income | ||||
Under $30,000 | 61 | 38 | 1 | 19 |
$30,000–49,999 | 53 | 44 | 3 | 22 |
$50,000–99,999 | 58 | 42 | N/A | 34 |
$100,000–199,999 | 49 | 51 | N/A | 19 |
Over $200,000 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 7 |
Party ID | ||||
Democrats | 91 | 8 | 1 | 33 |
Republicans | 9 | 91 | N/A | 37 |
Independents | 55 | 44 | 1 | 30 |
Party by gender | ||||
Democratic men | 90 | 10 | N/A | 12 |
Democratic women | 92 | 6 | 2 | 21 |
Republican men | 7 | 92 | 1 | 19 |
Republican women | 11 | 89 | N/A | 18 |
Independent men | 50 | 50 | N/A | 14 |
Independent women | 59 | 39 | 2 | 16 |
Ideology | ||||
Liberals | 89 | 11 | N/A | 22 |
Moderates | 62 | 37 | 1 | 39 |
Conservatives | 15 | 85 | N/A | 39 |
Marital status | ||||
Married | 43 | 57 | N/A | 64 |
Unmarried | 57 | 43 | N/A | 36 |
Gender by marital status | ||||
Married men | 36 | 64 | N/A | 32 |
Married women | 50 | 49 | 1 | 31 |
Unmarried men | 48 | 52 | N/A | 14 |
Unmarried women | 61 | 38 | 1 | 22 |
First-time midterm election voter | ||||
Yes | 54 | 38 | 8 | 16 |
No | 47 | 53 | N/A | 84 |
Most important issue facing the country | ||||
Health care | 75 | 25 | N/A | 41 |
Immigration | 17 | 83 | N/A | 29 |
Economy | 28 | 72 | N/A | 16 |
Gun policy | 76 | 24 | N/A | 11 |
Area type | ||||
Urban | 55 | 43 | 2 | 42 |
Suburban | 47 | 53 | N/A | 50 |
Rural | 37 | 63 | N/A | 8 |
Source: CNN[206] |
See also
References
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External links
- Candidates at Vote Smart
- Candidates at Ballotpedia
- Campaign finance at FEC
- Campaign finance at Center for Responsive Politics
- Official campaign websites
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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- ↑ 27.0 27.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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- ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 31.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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- ↑ 47.0 47.1 47.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ https://www.npr.org/2018/11/18/668704045/republican-rick-scott-wins-florida-senate-race-as-recount-comes-to-an-end
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- ↑ 73.0 73.1 73.2 73.3 73.4 73.5 73.6 73.7 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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- ↑ 83.00 83.01 83.02 83.03 83.04 83.05 83.06 83.07 83.08 83.09 83.10 83.11 83.12 83.13 83.14 83.15 83.16 83.17 83.18 83.19 83.20 83.21 83.22 83.23 83.24 83.25 83.26 83.27 83.28 83.29 83.30 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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- ↑ 198.0 198.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ "Sorting error delays Lee County manual recount by more than a day - The News-Press".
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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