Senator Marco Rubio wins reelection to the U.S. Senate Tuesday, defeating Congresswoman Val Demings in his bid for reelection. 

In the days ahead of the election, Rubio led a Spectrum News/Siena College poll, earning 51% support compared to Demings’ 43% support. Those numbers were up slightly from Spectrum’s poll released in October. Rubio earned 48% support, and 41% of voters supported Demings. 


What You Need To Know

  • Rubio is the projected winner in the race for Florida Senate

  • Both candidates toured the state in the final days of the election

  • Spectrum News covered their journey

Election Results

Rubio spent the final days of the campaign traveling around the state on his “Getting Things Done” tour, where he visited with workers, veterans, retired people — and Gov. DeSantis. Demings also participated in a bus tour around the state, where she worked hard to drum up support in South Florida, Tampa and Central Florida. 

Both President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump visited the sunshine state in the days leading up to the election. Biden attended an event with Crist and Congresswoman Val Demings in Miami Gardens, where he made the case to voters to show up and vote Democratic. Trump also appeared with Senator Marco Rubio but didn’t appear with DeSantis, despite the fact that the former president endorsed the governor on his first election bid to the post. 

Despite her local profile, as a former Orlando Police chief and a current Congressional representative of Central Florida, Demings outraised and outspent her opponent. Open Secrets reports that her campaign raised $72,316,479, and spent $68,167,849 so far. 

Comparatively, Rubio’s team raised $46,596,123, of which he spent $42,666,657. These numbers were as of October 19’s report. 

Demings conceded shortly after the race was called on Tuesday. 

“So Florida, I tell you tonight that I am not tired, I am not afraid,” said Chief Demings. “This election may be over, but there are dreams that are still alive. I believe in you, and in our ability to change the world. And though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, together we are going to fight for our democracy and for the American Dream.”