Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida defeated Democratic challengers to retain their positions.
With just over 80% of the votes tallied in each race, DeSantis leads former Republican Governor and Democratic Rep. Charlie Crist 58.6% to 40.7%, according to the AP.
Rubio held a similarly dominant lead, winning 57% of tallied votes to Democratic Rep. Val Demings’ 42%.
President Joe Biden appeared at a rally at Florida Memorial University to support U.S. Senate candidates Val Demings and Charlie Crist.
DeSantis, who has sparred with the Biden administration over a range of issues from education to COVID-19 response, was praised by the president over his handling of Hurricane Ian, a move that potentially damaged his Democratic challenger.
Rubio’s victory was largely expected and makes him the first three-term Republican senator in the state’s history following a campaign where he massively outspent his Democratic challenger.
Rubio, the state’s longest-serving Hispanic statewide elected official, is credited by analysts across the aisle for boosting the GOP’s performance with Hispanic voters, a crucial demographic in a state where the group is the fastest-growing demographic.
“The renaissance of Republican Latinos began in many ways with Marco Rubio,” said former political advisor to Trump, Susie Wiles, who managed successful Republican campaigns for governor in 2010 with Rick Scott and in 2018 with DeSantis.
“Florida is a red state,” said MSNBC political commentator Joy Reid. “I think I’ve said this before.”
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