Florida election results: Rick Scott beats Bill Nelson for Senate seat as Andrew Gillum loses to Ron DeSantis for governor

Democrat Donna Shalala also beats Republican Maria Elvira Salazar to take House seat in 27th district

Donna Shalala stresses importance of community after flipping Florida House seat

Republican Ron DeSantis has beaten Democrat Andrew Gillum in the race to become the next governor of Florida, extending GOP control of that office which has remained unbroken since 1994.

Meanwhile, the current governor of the state, Republican Rick Scott, has beat Senator Bill Nelson in the race for US Senate. Mr Scott beat Mr Nelson narrowly after an expensive race that ranks as one of the most expensive in US electoral history.

Mr Gillum called Mr DeSantis to concede, but vowed to continue to fight for causes he believes in.

In down ballot races, Democrats flipped two House seats from Republicans, with Democrats Debbie Mucarsel-Powell and Donna Shalala now set to become US representatives in January.

The Republican victory in the Florida Senate race reflects a broader trend for the GOP in that legislative body, as President Donald Trump’s party expanded its control there. The party flipped at last three seats from Democrats.

But, Democrats saw victories in ways that will hobble the president’s next two years in office, and gained control of the House of Representatives. Democrats will now yield power over congressional investigations, and will have the ability to re-open or expand investigations into Russia’s involvement in the 2016 election and any connection that involvement may have had to Mr Trump’s campaign.

Democrats also saw important wins in governors races across the country, even if Mr Gillum was unable to flip control in Tallahassee. As election results poured in from across the country, Democrats picked up at least six governorships from Republican hands. That means that the party will control at least 21 governor's mansions. Republicans, with four seats left to be decided on Wednesday morning, had retained control of 25 seats.

To see how the evening unfolded please read our live blog below

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Key Points

• Ron DeSantis will be the next governor of Florida, after Democrat Andrew Gillum's concession
• Rick Scott has beat Bill Nelson in the race for US Senate after a close win over the Democrat
• Democrats have flipped two House seats — the 27th district and the 26th district
• Florida voters have also passed a measure giving some felons back the vote

[7 November 2018 07:15 · Clark Mindock]

Here is Andrew Gilllum's concession speech to to Republican Ron DeSantis.

[7 November 2018 07:45 · Clark Mindock]

Here is Mr Desantis' victory speech in Florida after he was elected as governor.

[7 November 2018 08:15 · Clark Mindock]

In one of the less watched races in Florida, Key West elected the first lesbian mayor in the state's history - Teri Johnson.

"Tonight Teri Johnston made history when voters elected her mayor of Key West," Stratton Pollitzer, the chair of Equality Florida Action PAC, told local news. "Teri is the first out lesbian candidate to be elected mayor of a Florida city, and her victory continues a proud Ky West tradition of leading on LGBTW equality. Teri has been an outstanding advocate of equality during her time on the Key West Commission and we are thrilled to now call her mayor".

[7 November 2018 08:19 · Chris Stevenson]

We are now ending our coverage of election night in Florida. Thanks for reading.