Florida is on the cusp of a recount for its close U.S. Senate race, according to Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson.
“We are proceeding to a recount,” Nelson said in a brief statement, first reported by local media.
Republican candidate Rick Scott, who is also the outgoing governor, declared victory Tuesday evening while Nelson refused to deliver a concession speech.
With 100 percent of precincts reporting Wednesday morning, according to the Associated Press, Scott leads incumbent Nelson by .43 points, or about 34,435 votes. Any result below half a percentage point triggers an automatic recount, per state law.
The secretary of state, who is Scott appointee Ken Detzner, orders recounts for federal, state, or multi-county races. If the difference in votes is found to be less than .25 points, then a hand recount will ensue.
Scott’s campaign, while it acknowledged state law for a recount, reacted to Nelson’s statement, saying, “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.”
Nelson has held the seat since 2001 and his defeat would cost Democrats yet another Senate seat, allowing the GOP to tighten its grip on the upper chamber while the Democrats snagged control of the House.
Florida is infamously known for its 2000 presidential election recount debacle, which culminated in then-candidate George W. Bush winning the state by just 537 votes and a 5-4 majority in the U.S. Supreme Court.
