TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Sen. Bill Nelson concedes to Gov. Rick Scott in Florida's contentious race for the U.S. Senate.
After the state's manual recount came to an end Sunday, Scott led the Democratic incumbent Nelson by more than 10,000 votes. It was after this time the Republican governor said Nelson called him to concede.
“I just spoke with Senator Bill Nelson, who graciously conceded, and I thanked him for his years of public service,” Scott said.
Nelson, in a video message, said things didn't work out the way he had planned, but he didn't feel defeated.
“That’s because I have had the privilege of serving the people of Florida and our country for most of my life," Nelson said.
Nelson went on to say he was not victorious in this race but still wishes to strongly re-affirm the cause for which he fought: A public office is a public trust.
Nelson said everyone needs to keep fighting to strengthen Social Security and Medicare, for generations here now and to come.
"It’s your Medicare, it’s your Social Security; you pay into those programs. They belong to you, and not to the politicians who are plotting to rob your retirement," said Nelson.
Nelson said he will continue to fight for the human rights that are the soul and glory of the American experiment: civil rights, women’s rights, LGBT rights and the right to vote.
Nelson said he would continue the fight to save the planet from greenhouse gases that impact the atmosphere and play havoc with the weather.
The results show that Scott is poised to end Nelson's lengthy political career. The three-term incumbent was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2000.
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