Republican Senator Rick Scott secured re-election in Florida on Tuesday, triumphing over Democrat Debbie Mucarsel-Powell in a closely contested Senate race that many Democrats had hoped to win. Scott, who previously served two terms as the state’s governor, made headlines when he narrowly defeated incumbent Senator Bill Nelson in 2018, a contest so tight that it necessitated a mandatory recount.

The competitiveness of that earlier race combined with the credentials of Mucarsel-Powell, a former congresswoman from Miami, led Democrats to believe that this Senate seat was a strong target for them. However, Scott’s campaign proved successful, and he now has set his sights on seeking the position of majority leader, aiming to succeed Senator Mitch McConnell in the upcoming congressional session.

As the evening unfolded, the Associated Press confirmed Scott’s victory at 8:01 p.m. EST, further solidifying his position in the Senate for another term.