TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - The Latest on the results of Florida’s election recount (all times local):
8:30 a.m.
Republican Florida Gov. Rick Scott says incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson was “gracious” to him in a phone call to congratulate Scott on his victory over the longtime politician.
Scott told Fox & Friends on Monday morning that he told Nelson “if he has any ideas of how to do my job better, don’t hesitate to call me.”
In response to a specific question, Scott reiterated his frustration over the protracted Senate race in which he claimed victory on Election Day but whose outcome was challenged by Nelson. Nelson conceded on Sunday after a manual recount of votes confirmed Scott as the winner.
Scott and President Donald Trump were among those who alleged that Democrats were trying to steal the election, and they questioned the actions of some election officials in South Florida.
The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported late Sunday that one of those officials, Broward County Supervisor of Elections Brenda Snipes, had presented a resignation letter to step down in January. Scott said it was his understanding that Snipes had resigned, but he said he hadn’t received her resignation yet.
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7:20 a.m.
The acknowledged Republican winner of Florida’s race for governor says he believes a “blue wave” did wash over the state as Democratic challenger Andrew Gillum launched his bid to become the state’s first African-American chief executive. But he says the Republicans were able to overcome it.
Ron DeSantis told Fox & Friends on Monday that the Democrats “turned out way more voters than they did in 2014.”
DeSantis said there “kinda was a blue wave; we were just able to overcome it.”
DeSantis says Gillum was responsible for driving Democrats to the polls in large numbers. He called him a “very formidable opponent” and the “only” Democratic candidate “that inspired anybody with enthusiasm.”
DeSantis also said that President Donald Trump “played a very, very important role” in his victory through his visits to the state and his support.
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1 a.m.
This was the year Florida’s Democrats spoke ambitiously of ending their 20-year journey in political exile in this battleground state. Instead, election results after a tense and bruising recount showed Republicans coming out on top for governor and even picking up a U.S. Senate seat.
After the recount stretched on for nearly two weeks, top Democratic candidates in the state came agonizingly close but fell short of their stated goal.
Democratic candidate for governor Andrew Gillum conceded Saturday, followed by three-term incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson a day later. More than 8 million voters weighed in - a far higher turnout than in past midterm elections - with razor-thin results in two of the nation’s most-watched midterm elections.
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