Two Florida Republican Senators: First Time Since 1875!

President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, alongside Florida Governor Rick Scott and his wife Mrs. Ann Scott, tour the Lynn Haven Community in Lynn Haven, Fla. Monday, Oct. 15, 2018, and meet with residents impacted by Hurricane Michael. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)

Reuters’ Bernie Woodall reports that with the victory of Rick Scott, Republicans will control both Florida Senate seats for the first time since the 19th century:

Rick Scott, Florida’s outgoing governor, was declared the winner on Sunday of his hard-fought U.S. Senate race against incumbent Democrat Bill Nelson following a hand recount of ballots, giving Republicans control of both of the state’s Senate seats for the first time since the 19th century.

Nelson became the latest incumbent Democratic senator toppled in the midterm congressional election in which the Republicans expanded their majority in the Senate but lost control of the House of Representatives.

Other defeated incumbent Democratic senators included Joe Donnelly in Indiana, Heidi Heitkamp in North Dakota and Claire McCaskill in Missouri.

Republicans will hold both Senate seats from Florida, the third most-populous U.S. state and a regular battleground in presidential races, for the first time since 1875, during the post-Civil War period.