Florida U.S. Senator Bill Nelson won re-election handily, staving off a challenge from GOP Congressman Connie Mack IV. His victory speech included a plea for bipartisan cooperation.
In front of a fired up crowd of supporters at the Democratic victory party at a downtown Orlando hotel, Nelson said he felt humbled the voters had chosen him for a third term.
Sen. Nelson, who won with 55 percent of the vote, criticized political partisanship and says he will work to and unite the country.
“To try to reach across the aisle," he said, "and bring people together to build consensus so we can govern this country.”
Nelson says his re-election brings an opportunity to help solve some of Congress' most pressing challenges like how to protect Medicare and Social Security and grow the economy.
He predicts lawmakers will also begin working to steer the country away from the looming fiscal cliff.
