Florida voters sent a mixed message to wealthy candidates running for office by handing businessman Rick Scott an upset victory in the Republican gubernatorial primary while dealing billionaire investor Jeff Greene a crushing defeat in the Democratic Senate race.
Scott, who spent upwards of $30 million of his own money on the race, defeated state Attorney General Bill McCollum and moves on to face state Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink (D) in the fall campaign. Bud Chiles, the son of former Gov. Lawton Chiles (D), is running as an independent.
Florida Rep. Kendrick Meek crushed Greene in the Sunshine State’s Democratic Senate primary, setting up a three-way battle in the fall with former state House Speaker Marco Rubio (R) and Gov. Charlie Crist (I).Tucson City Councilman Rodney Glassman (D) this fall.
