Agencies say no proof of Nelson’s claim on hacking

Florida’s elections systems have experienced no recent security breaches, despite claims from Sen. Bill Nelson that Russian hackers had gained access in some counties and now have “free rein.” The FBI and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security responded to the Democrat’s claim in a letter released Tuesday.

No new efforts to compromise Florida’s election systems have been detected by federal authorities, according to a joint letter sent by the FBI and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The letter rejected claims by Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson that Russian operatives have “penetrated” some counties’ election systems in advance of the midterm elections and now have “free rein to move about.”

Homeland Security Secreary Kirstjen Nielsen and FBI Director Christopher Wray did not present information corroborating Nelson’s claim in a letter released Tuesday in response to inquiries from state election officials for more information.

“Although we have not seen new or ongoing compromises of state or local election infrastructure in Florida, Russian government actors have previously demonstrated both the intent and capability to conduct malicious cyber operations,” they wrote. “DHS and the FBI will continue to notify any victim of a successful cyber intrusion into their election network in any jurisdiction nationwide.”

Homeland Security officials found that Russian hackers tried to breach election systems in Florida and 20 other states during the 2016 elections.

South Florida election officials told the South Florida Sun Sentinel they have no reason to believe that their systems have been compromised in advance of the midterm elections.

Republican Gov. Rick Scott, who is running against Nelson, has demanded to see supporting evidence for Nelson’s statements. The Scott campaign slammed Nelson on Tuesday, calling his unsubstantiated comments on Russian hacking “reckless and irresponsible.”

“Bill Nelson has either been deeply confused or very dishonest — and an alarming possibility exists that he is both on this issue,” Scott said in a statement released by the campaign. “Bill Nelson’s confusion has caused chaos.”

Nelson has declined to provide additional information because he says it is classified. Ryan Brown, a Nelson spokesman, fired back at Scott.

“The governor of Florida has a security clearance and could have quickly and directly received information, answers and posed any questions instead of engaging in these confusing and partisan histrionics of the past week,” Brown said.

NBC News reported last week a classified basis does exist for Nelson’s claims, citing three unnamed “people familiar with the intelligence.”

Early voting is underway for the Aug. 28 primary elections, and more than 1 million ballots have already been cast. In numbers updated by the Florida Division of Elections on Monday, Republicans had cast 475,973 ballots, Democrats had cast 423,409, voters registered without a political party had cast 121,279 ballots and another 3,422 ballots had been cast by people registered with third parties.

Nielsen and Wray wrote that they are focused on assisting election officials with securing their systems and “ensuring Floridians can have confidence that when they visit the polls, their votes will be counted.”