CNN
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Republican Sen. Rick Scott will win a second term in Florida, defeating Democrat Debbie Mucarsel-Powell in a race that showcases the GOP's strength in a state once considered one of the country's key political battlegrounds, according to CNN forecasts.

With his return to the Senate secured next year, Scott is positioned to begin his uphill battle to succeed Mitch McConnell as Senate Republican leader in the new Congress. The secret vote is scheduled to take place sometime after the election.

Scott unsuccessfully challenged McConnell for his leadership position in 2022 as the Florida senator had a disappointing lead for his party's Senate race this cycle. But Scott's chances of succeeding McConnell this time could benefit from his close relationship with his state's most famous resident: former President Donald Trump.

Scott's victory over Mucarsel-Powell capped what was ultimately the least competitive race of his political career, which was at times marked by exceptionally hard-fought contests. Scott narrowly won two terms as governor in 2010 and 2014 by about one percentage point, then ousted Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson in 2018 by 10,0000 votes out of 8.2 million cast – one of the closest statewide elections in Florida history.

To win those races, Scott, a former health care executive and one of the richest elected officials in the country, dug deep into his personal fortune, including investing $63 million in his first Senate campaign. This time, however, he spent far less of his own money as Mucarsel-Powell, a former South Florida congresswoman, struggled to raise funds.

Democrats fought late for the seat as other paths to maintaining their Senate majority became increasingly difficult. In September, they announced a multimillion-dollar advertising push in Florida, a symbolic investment in a historically expensive state to keep up.

But there was hope that Mucarsel-Powell could build on the enthusiasm surrounding Vice President Kamala Harris' launch. Democrats also remained optimistic that ballot measures to legalize recreational marijuana and expand access to abortion in the state could give their Senate candidate a boost. Mucarsel-Powell campaigned vigorously for abortion in a state where it is now illegal for women to undergo the procedure after six weeks of pregnancy unless their life is in danger or they are victims of rape or other Incests.

However, Scott benefited greatly from a favorable change in the state's political makeup since he first entered the Senate. Six years ago, there were more registered Democrats than Republicans in Florida. The GOP now has a one-million-voter lead in the state, a deficit that has made it structurally difficult for Democrats to compete.

Having run neck and neck in all of his previous races, Scott never trailed Mucarsel-Powell, although the race certainly seemed to be getting tighter in recent months.

Scott's victory guarantees that Republicans will hold all statewide offices in Florida for at least two more years. In a second term, Scott said he would prioritize term limits for members of Congress, closing federal agencies and building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.