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Nelson: Florida Is A Must In 2016 For Republican Presidential Candidates

Florida's Senate race between Republican Governor Rick Scott and Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson was neck-and-neck all evening. Photo: Amy Green
Florida's Senate race between Republican Governor Rick Scott and Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson was neck-and-neck all evening. Photo: Amy Green

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson says Florida is a must for any Republican presidential candidate as former Gov. Jeb Bush plans to enter the race Monday.

Florida is the only swing state among the large states such as California, Texas and New York. The central Florida Democrat says the Sunshine State is key for the math.

"For the Republican candidate for president to win they have to have Florida. Because otherwise it's very unlikely that they can put together enough electoral votes in the Electoral College in order to come up with the magic number of 270 to win."

Bush is set to declare his candidacy for the 2016 Republican nomination in Miami.

Amy Green covered the environment for WMFE until 2023. Her work included the 2020 podcast DRAINED.