Gillum set to join Nelson in seeking recount in Florida

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida faced the prospect of recounts in razor-thin races for governor and U.S. Senate, potentially prolonging the battle over two of this year’s most closely watched campaigns.

In the governor’s race, Democrat Andrew Gillum’s campaign said Thursday it’s prepared for a possible recount. He conceded to Republican Ron Desantis on Tuesday night, but the margin of the race has since tightened. As of Thursday afternoon, Desantis held a 0.47 percentage point lead over Gillum.

Meanwhile, Democratic incumbent Sen. Bill Nelson has already started preparing for a potential recount in a race that remains too close to call against Republican Gov. Rick Scott. Nelson’s lawyer called that race a “jump ball” — though Scott’s campaign urged Nelson to concede. Scott held a 0.21 percentage point lead over Nelson on Thursday afternoon.

Scott, as outgoing governor, said at a news conference Thursday night that he was asking the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to investigate elections offices in the Democratic strongholds of Palm Beach and Broward counties, questioning whether they were trying to inflate the Democratic vote.

Scott’s campaign filed a lawsuit demanding that the Broward County supervisor of elections be ordered to turn over several records detailing the counting and collection of ballots cast.

Gretl Plessinger, a spokeswoman for the FDLE, said by phone that the agency would follow up on the governor’s request.

Nelson’s campaign released a statement saying Scott’s action appears to be politically motivated and borne out of desperation as he tries to win the Senate contest.

Sarah Revell, a spokeswoman for the Florida Department of State, said she didn’t know of any other recount in a gubernatorial or Senate race in Florida history.