Florida’s US Senate race is too close to call, Nelson requests recount

Author: Associated Press
Published: Updated:
Newly-elected Sen. Rick Scott and Sen. Bill Nelson.

The race for U.S. Senate in Florida between Democratic incumbent Sen. Bill Nelson and Republican Rick Scott is too close to call and Sen. Nelson said he is not conceding in a press release.

“We are proceeding to a recount,” Sen. Nelson said this morning, in a brief statement.

Scott’s lead in the Tuesday race is 38,717 votes out of more than 8 million cast – a margin of less than one half of 1 percent.

Under state law in Florida, a recount is mandatory if the winning candidate’s margin is less than 0.5 percentage points.

The deadline is noon Saturday, or perhaps longer under certain circumstances, to determine whether the recount proceeds under law, Nelson’s release said.

Meantime, the Nelson campaign said Wednesday it intends to have observers in all 67 counties watching for any irregularities, mistakes or unusual partisan activities.

“This race is over. It’s a sad way for Bill Nelson to end his career. He is desperately trying to hold on to something that no longer exists,” said Chris Hartline, Spokesman for Scott for Florida.

The Associated Press does not call any race that may proceed to a recount.

Scott earlier declared victory in the race. Nelson has not publicly conceded.

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