Rick Scott holds off Charlie Crist in Florida gubernatorial race

Rick Scott holds off Charlie Crist in Florida gubernatorial race
(Image credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Despite a net negative approval rating, incumbent Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) has won re-election over former GOP governor-turned-Democrat Charlie Crist, according to The Associated Press.

Scott's win is a huge hold for Republicans, as it will leave them in control of a crucial swing state heading into the 2016 elections. Scott had been a top gubernatorial target for Democrats this cycle.

Crist served one term as governor of Florida, leaving office to run for Senate as a Republican in 2010. Yet when the state's GOP primary voters lined up behind Sen. Marco Rubio (R), then a state lawmaker, Crist abandoned the party and continued his bid as an Independent. He completed his transition to the Democratic Party in 2012.

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The race presented voters with a choice between two largely unpopular choices. A recent PPP poll found that more voters disliked than liked each of the candidates.

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Jon Terbush

Jon Terbush is an associate editor at TheWeek.com covering politics, sports, and other things he finds interesting. He has previously written for Talking Points Memo, Raw Story, and Business Insider.