Rick Scott is seemingly on his way to keep his Florida Senate seat, with the last poll before Tuesday's election showing him with a comfortable lead over challenger Debbie Mucarsel-Powell.
Conducted by Research Co. between November 2 and 3 among 450 likely voters, the survey shows the incumbent ahead by seven percentage points, getting 50% of the support compared to the Democrat's 43%.
Scott has led throughout the entire race and, while it seemed to narrow over during August and September, it has widened again, at least according to the latest polls. Another one published in November, conducted by Victory Insights on November 1 and 2, shows Scott ahead by four percentage points, with 51% of the support to Mucarsel-Powell's 47%.
The Florida Democrat is seeking to fight back with a final campaign push, recently telling the Latin Times she feels "cautiously optimistic" about her chances. ". These races are always close, and that's why every vote matters, and that's what I'm focusing on," she said.
However, she still faces long odds, with nonpartisan forecaster The Cook Political Report labeling the race a "Likely Republican" one. She is focusing on healthcare immigration and preserving democracy as the main topics of her campaign.
Scott went on the offense during the last days of the campaign, accusing the Democrat of allegedly violating Florida election laws by filming herself inside a polling location.
Mucarsel-Powell uploaded a video seemingly inside a polling station during the weekend in anticipation of her casting her early ballot. "I'm about to cast my ballot, and I am honored and emotional thinking about every Floridian who voted to get us to this point" read the caption, adding "Let's bring this home, Florida."
According to Florida Statute 102.031(5), photography is generally prohibited inside polling locations with the exception of photographing one's own ballot. Scott posted the since-deleted post by Mucarsel-Powell on his X account:
Scott also published a statement condemning Mucarsel-Powell on his website, which included a quote from his campaign's spokesman, Jonathan Turcotte:
"Debbie Mucarsel-Powell must be held accountable for blatantly violating Florida election law in a desperate attempt to draw attention to her failing campaign. We also fully expect the Miami Supervisor of Elections to immediately condemn her for not only breaking the law, but also for violating so many voters' right to privacy. No one is above the law, including Debbie Mucarsel-Powell"
If the Democratic challenger defeats Scott in November, she would become the first Latina from the Sunshine State to serve in the U.S. Senate. That role would add to a long list of already-notable achievements for the Ecuadorian-American, which include becoming the first South American-born member of Congress and the first Latina to run on a major party's Senate ticket in Florida.
She also got an endorsement from the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the country's oldest Latino civil rights organization and a group that until 2024 had refused to endorse candidates.
The support now makes Mucarsel-Powell the first woman congressional candidate to receive such backing. The endorsement follows LULAC's support earlier this week for Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), running for an open Senate seat in Arizona against Republican Kari Lake.
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