The 2018 Florida Senate race was a nail-biter decided by just 10,033 votes.
In short: In a high-stakes midterm, incumbent Democrat Bill Nelson faced off against two-term Republican Governor Rick Scott. The contest became a grueling test of endurance, culminating in a recount that stretched for 12 days. It remains the closest Senate election in the state's history, highlighting Florida's status as a perennial battleground.
The 2018 Senate race was defined by a stark contrast in campaign styles and political environments. Bill Nelson, a senior senator and moderate, relied on a traditional campaign strategy, while Rick Scott leveraged his experience as governor and his ability to self-fund his political efforts. The election occurred in a state that had narrowly supported Donald Trump in 2016, placing Nelson among the ten Democratic incumbents running in states won by the Republican president. This created a challenging landscape for Democrats hoping to maintain their Senate presence.
Local factors played a significant role in shaping the electorate's mood. Florida faced intense environmental pressures, including severe storms and toxic algae blooms, which became central to the discourse. Additionally, the arrival of thousands of Puerto Rican refugees following Hurricane Maria in 2017 introduced a new demographic factor, as campaigns scrambled to address the needs of displaced voters. The race was further complicated by the presence of a high-profile gubernatorial contest, which featured a progressive Democratic candidate, Andrew Gillum, aiming to mobilize younger voters and people of color.
When the polls closed, the margin between Nelson and Scott was so narrow that it triggered an automatic recount under state law. For 12 days, election officials and observers navigated a tedious process of reviewing ballots, reminiscent of the 2000 presidential election. Ultimately, Rick Scott was declared the winner with 50.05% of the vote to Nelson's 49.93%. This victory allowed Republicans to hold both of Florida's Senate seats for the first time since 1875, marking a significant shift in the state's political landscape and cementing the 2018 contest as a historic moment in Florida politics.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Race for the Senate 2018: Key issues in Florida | Brookings
- Also: Republican Rick Scott Defeats Bill Nelson For Florida Senate Seat : NPR
- Also: 2018 United States Senate election in Florida
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