Trump-backed candidates Rick Scott and Ron DeSantis breeze to victory in Florida primaries

Two Republicans backed by President Trump easily won primaries in Florida on Tuesday while margins in the state’s Democratic gubernatorial race remained too close to call.

Rick Scott, the current governor of the Sunshine State, was declared the winner in the GOP primary election for the Senate seat currently held by Democrat Bill Nelson.

Scott, who received a full-throated endorsement from Trump on Monday, took home nearly 90% of the vote, easily edging out longshot challenger Rocky de la Fuente, according to early estimates.

Nelson, who has held the traditionally Democratic seat since 2001, is running unopposed in the November midterm election. The Nelson-Scott showdown is expected to be one of the nation’s most competitive races in November.

Meanwhile, Rep. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) won the gubernatorial primary with 56.5% of the vote, according to preliminary estimates. His closest challenger, Florida’s Agricultural Commissioner Adam Putnam, received about 37% of the vote, according to estimates.

DeSantis, an early congressional backer of Trump, was also endorsed by the President.

The Democratic primary for governor remained too close call Tuesday night, with former Florida Rep. Gwen Graham leading Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum with less than 1% of the vote, according to preliminary polls.