Businessman Rick Scott wins Republican nomination for governor

Floridians went to the polls Tuesday to elect candidates for several statewide offices, as well as numerous local races.

Statewide races included those for governor, U.S. Senate and Attorney General.

In the governor’s race, Florida's Republican voters choose wealthy newcomer Rick Scott over career public servant Bill McCollum as their candidate.

"The Republican party will come together and the reason we will come together is our shared devotion to the values that make America great," Scott said. "People come and go, candidates come and go, but the principles we stand for will endure forever. The Republican party is at its best, the party that guards the American dream, and keeps that dream alive for the next generation."

Scott holds a law degree from Southern Methodist University. He is the founder of Columbia Hospital Corporation and Solantic Corporation. He has never run for public office before.

Alex Sink won the Democratic gubernatorial nod.

"I'll be nobody's governor but yours," she told the cheering crowd during her victory speech Tuesday night.

She offered this advice to her opponent.

"Let's debate the issues Floridians care about," she said.

Sink is currently Florida’s Chief Financial Officer, where she has served since 2006. She previously worked in the banking industry and holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Wake Forest University.

Attorney General

State Sen. Dan Gelber won the Democratic primary for attorney general.

Gelber is an attorney who received his degree from the University of Florida. He has served in the Florida Senate since 2008 and served in the Florida House from 2008 to 2008.

Pam Bondi won the GOP primary.

"Tonight is a win for every Floridian who is looking for a real lawyer, a prosecutor, who for almost 20 years has taken on gangs, scam artists, thieves, and murderers. Tonight, score one for the people," she said. "My opponent is an Eliot Spitzer type of Floridian who is painting a legal bulls-eye on every business, every paycheck, and every job."

Jeff Kottkamp conceded to Bondi via his Twitter page.

"I have just called @pambondi and congratulated her on her victory tonight. She ran a great campaign and I wished her well in the general."

Bondi holds a law degree from Stetson Law School. She has worked as a prosecutor in Hillsborough County for 18 years.