Florida governor puts $18 million of his own money into race

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Florida Gov. Rick Scott continues to use millions of his own money for his U.S. Senate campaign.

Federal campaign finance reports filed on Monday show that Scott has given his campaign $18 million between early August and the end of September. The Republican governor has now donated more than $38 million since jumping into the race back in April.

Scott is challenging incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in this year’s election. Nelson, a Democrat, is seeking a fourth term in the Senate.

Scott is a multimillionaire who has used his own money in three elections now. He spent more than $70 million on his first bid for governor in 2010.

The closely watched race between Scott and Nelson could determine whether Republicans maintain control of the Senate.