The 2012 United States Senate election in Florida was held on November 6, 2012, alongside a presidential election, other elections to the House and Senate, as well as various state and local elections. The primary election was held August 14, 2012. Incumbent Senator Bill Nelson won reelection to a third term, defeating Republican U.S. Representative Connie Mack IV (whose father, Connie Mack III, was Nelson's direct predecessor in that Senate seat) by 13%, winning 55% to 42%. Nelson defeated Mack by over 1 million votes.

Until Donald Trump won 4.6 million votes in the 2016 presidential election and Marco Rubio won 4.8 million votes in the 2016 Senate election, Nelson recorded the most votes in Florida history. , this was the last time that a Democrat won a U.S. Senate election in Florida. This is also the last time a Democrat carried the following counties in a statewide election: Brevard, Flagler, Franklin, Hamilton, Hendry, Hernando, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Okeechobee, Pasco, Polk, Sarasota, and Volusia.

Democratic primary

Candidates Glenn Burkett Bill Nelson, incumbent U.S. senator

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Qualified Connie Mack IV, U.S. representative from Fort MyersConnie Mack IV Officially Joins Florida Senate Race : Roll Call Politics Mike McCalister, university professor and candidate for Florida governor in 2010 Marielena Stuart, conservative activist and journalist Dave Weldon, former U.S. representative from Indialantic

Withdrew Alexander George, businessman, political activist and ministerAlexander George withdraws U.S. Senate Race- Endorses Senator George LeMieux PRLog Mike Haridopolos, president of the Florida Senate Adam Hasner, former Florida House of Representatives majority leaderBalderas, Hasner file paperwork for Senate bids – David Catanese – POLITICO.com (running for U.S. House of Representatives)Hasner phoned Mack, not LeMieux – POLITICO.com George LeMieux, former U.S. senator Ron Rushing, businessman (running for state senate)Conservative Senate Candidate Ron Rushing Takes Aim at Politicians Sunshine State News

Declined Jeff Atwater, chief financial officer of Florida Allan Bense, former Speaker of the Florida House of RepresentativesHasner Nabs Former Florida Speaker’s Endorsement : Roll Call Politics Vern Buchanan, U.S. representative Jeb Bush, former Florida governor Dean Cannon, Speaker of the Florida House of RepresentativesLooking beyond Connie Mack and U.S. Senate race – Marc Caputo – MiamiHerald.com Nicholas M. Loeb, businessman Will McBride, attorney and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2006 Tom Rooney, U.S. representative Chris Ruddy, founder and CEO of Newsmax Allen West, U.S. representativeAllen West shuts door on Senate race – David Catanese – POLITICO.com

Polling Poll source GeorgeLeMieux ConnieMack IV MikeMcCalister DaveWeldon Someoneelse Other/UndecidedPublic Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling May 31 – June 3, 2012 448 ±4.6% 13% 34% 10% 6% 9% 28%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac June 12–18, 2012 698 ±3.7% 8% 41% 5% 3% 1% 39%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling July 26–29, 2012 500 ±4.4% — 47% 10% 14% 6% 23%

Endorsements

Results

General election Early in the race, Nelson appeared to be vulnerable, with some earlier polls showing Mack leading. However, in the last few weeks, with new polls conducted, it appeared as though Nelson was headed for a victory. The last poll placed him five percentage points ahead of Mack; Nelson would win easily by 13 percentage points. Nelson performed well in Southeast Florida (the Miami area), Tampa, Gainesville, typically Democratic areas. Nelson, however, managed to win in areas that typically lean Republican. He won in Duval County, home of Jacksonville, and Volusia County, home of Daytona Beach. Nelson's ability to outperform President Obama led to him winning the election easily. Obama would still win Florida, but by just about 74,000 votes, and less than a percentage point. Nelson began his third term in the Senate on January 3, 2013.

Candidates Chris Borgia (Independent), Iraq War veteran Bill Gaylor (Independent), owner, Bill and Sheila Gaylor InsuranceGaylor qualifies for U.S. Senate Run Connie Mack IV (Republican), U.S. congressman Bill Nelson (Democratic), incumbent U.S. senator

Debates Only one debate was held, hosted by Leadership Florida/Florida Press Association occurred on October 17 at the Nova Southeastern University campus in Davie. Complete video of debate, October 17, 2012 - C-SPAN

Fundraising Candidate (party) Receipts Disbursements Cash on hand DebtBill Nelson (D) $13,404,998 $15,494,167 $994,324 $0Connie Mack (R) $7,272,224 $7,526,150 $155,076 $81,880Chris Borgia (I) $12,344 $12,198 $145 $9,950Bill Gaylor (I) $19,604 $19,195 $0 $0 Source: Federal Election Commission

Top contributors

Bill Nelson Contribution Connie Mack Contribution Bill Gaylor Contribution Morgan & Morgan $138,150 Club for Growth $189,168 Bill & Sheila Gaylor Insurance Professionals $7,905 Finmeccanica $71,967 Elliott Management Corporation $46,997 Circle Redmont $1,432 InDyne, Inc. $64,735 Koch Industries $33,500 Harris Corporation $59,750 Vestar Capital Partners $32,000 Akerman Senterfitt LLP $59,300 Island Doctors $27,400 Greenberg Traurig $52,589 Adams & Diaco $25,000 Kindred Healthcare $21,000 Health Management Associates $21,000 Holland & Knight $46,747 Flo-Sun Inc $18,500 Leon Medical Centers $45,800 US Sugar Corporation $18,000 Vestar Capital Partners $40,650 MasTec, Inc. $17,800 Source: OpenSecrets

Top industries

Bill Nelson Contribution Connie Mack Contribution Bill Gaylor Contribution Lawyers/law firms $2,383,484 Retired $885,121 Retired $1,500 Retired $938,280 Republican/Conservative $412,944 Real estate $606,253 Financial institutions $360,334 Health professionals $529,282 Real estate $298,642 Lobbyists $493,087 Leadership PACs $280,500 Financial institutions $418,915 Misc. finance $216,836 Hospitals/nursing homes $364,617 Health professionals $199,159 Leadership PACs $337,000 Lawyers/law firms $169,921 Insurance industry $319,788 Petroleum industry $136,400 Health services/HMOs $276,500 Business services $128,777 Source: OpenSecrets

Independent expenditures In early October 2012, Crossroads GPS announced it would launch a $16 million advertising buy in national races, of which four were this election, and three were other Senate elections. In Florida, the money was to be spent by its affiliate, American Crossroads.

Predictions Source Ranking As of The Cook Political Report November 1, 2012 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 5, 2012 Rothenberg Political Report November 2, 2012 Real Clear Politics November 5, 2012

Polling Poll source BillNelson (D) ConnieMack IV (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling October 9–10, 2010 448 ±4.6% 42% 33% — 25%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling December 17–20, 2010 1,034 ±3.0% 44% 36% — 20%Mason-DixonMason-Dixon February 9–10, 2011 625 ±4.0% 45% 40% — 15%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling March 24–27, 2011 500 ±4.4% 47% 34% — 18%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac October 31 – November 7, 2011 1,185 ±2.9% 42% 40% 1% 16%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports November 17, 2011 500 ±4.5% 39% 43% 5% 13%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling November 28 – December 1, 2011 700 ±3.7% 46% 35% — 19%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac January 4–8, 2012 1,412 ±2.6% 41% 40% 1% 16%Suffolk UniversitySuffolk University January 22–24, 2012 600 ±4.4% 42% 32% 1% 25%Mason-DixonMason-Dixon January 24–26, 2012 800 ±3.5% 45% 42% — 13%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports February 13, 2012 500 ±4.5% 41% 41% 5% 12%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports March 13, 2012 500 ±4.5% 36% 43% 5% 16%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac March 20–26, 2012 1,228 ±2.8% 44% 36% 3% 17%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling April 12–15, 2012 700 ±3.7% 47% 37% — 17%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports April 25, 2012 500 ±4.5% 47% 36% 10% 7%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac May 15–21, 2012 1,722 ±2.4% 41% 42% 3% 15%MaristMarist May 17–20, 2012 1,078 ±3.0% 46% 42% — 12%Public Policy Polling May 31 – June 3, 2012 642 ±3.9% 49% 36% — 15%Quinnipiac June 12–18, 2012 1,697 ±2.4% 43% 39% — 15%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac June 19–25, 2012 1,200 ±2.8% 41% 40% 1% 17%Rasmussen Reports July 9, 2012 500 ±4.5% 37% 46% 7% 10%Mason-DixonMason-Dixon July 9–11, 2012 800 ±3.5% 47% 42% — 11%Survey USASurvey USA July 17–19, 2012 647 ±3.9% 42% 48% 2% 8%Public Policy Polling July 26–29, 2012 871 ±3.3% 45% 43% — 13%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac July 24–30, 2012 1,177 ±2.9% 47% 40% 1% 12%Rasmussen Reports August 15, 2012 500 ±4.5% 47% 40% 3% 10%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac August 15–21, 2012 1,241 ±2.8% 50% 41% — 9%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling August 31 – September 2, 2012 1,548 ±2.5% 45% 38% — 17%SurveyUSASurveyUSA September 7–9, 2012 596 ±4.1% 47% 36% 3% 9%NBC/WSJ/Marist PollNBC/WSJ/Marist Poll September 9–11, 2012 980 ±3.1% 51% 37% — 12%Rasmussen Reports September 12, 2012 500 ±4.5% 47% 40% 5% 8%Fox News PollFox News Poll September 16–18, 2012 829 ±3.0% 49% 35% 2% 12%TBT/Miami HeraldTBT/Miami Herald September 17–19, 2012 800 ±3.5% 48% 40% — 11%Suffolk UniversitySuffolk University September 27–30, 2012 600 ±4.0% 40% 34% 5% 20%NBC/WSJ/Marist PollNBC/WSJ/Marist Poll September 30 – October 1, 2012 890 ±3.3% 52% 41% — 7%Rasmussen Reports October 4, 2012 500 ±4.5% 52% 41% 1% 6%University of North FloridaUniversity of North Florida October 1–9, 2012 800 ±3.5% 50% 40% — 10%NBC/WSJ/Marist PollNBC/WSJ/Marist Poll October 7–9, 2012 988 ±3.1% 52% 39% — 9%TBT/Miami HeraldTBT/Miami Herald October 8–10, 2012 800 ±3.5% 47% 42% 4% 7%Rasmussen Reports October 11, 2012 750 ±4.0% 46% 45% 5% 5%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling October 12–14, 2012 791 ±3.4% 45% 37% — 18%SurveyUSASurveyUSA October 17–18, 2012 600 ±4.1% 48% 40% 4% 8%Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers/WPTVScripps Treasure Coast Newspapers/WPTV October 17–18, 2012 800 ±4.0% 45% 41% — 14%Rasmussen Reports October 18, 2012 750 ±4.0% 48% 43% 2% 7%Angus Reid Public Opinion October 18–20, 2012 502 ±4.5% 56% 39% 4% —Pharos ResearchPharos Research October 19–21, 2012 759 ±3.6% 52% 44% — 5%Sunshine State News/VSSSunshine State News/VSS October 22–24, 2012 1,001 ±3.1% 49% 44% — 7%Mason-DixonMason-Dixon October 22–24, 2012 625 ±4.0% 47% 44% — 9%Rasmussen Reports October 25, 2012 750 ±4.0% 49% 46% 2% 3%WFLA-TV/SurveyUSAWFLA-TV/SurveyUSA October 25–27, 2012 595 ±4.1% 48% 41% 4% 7%CBS/Quinnipiac UniversityCBS/Quinnipiac University October 23–28, 2012 1,073 ±3.0% 52% 39% — 9%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling October 26–28, 2012 687 ±3.7% 50% 42% — 9%Zogby/NewsmaxZogby/Newsmax October 26–28, 2012 827 ±3.5% 50% 41% — 9%Zogby/NewsmaxZogby/Newsmax October 27–29, 2012 828 ±3.5% 50% 41% — 9%Gravis MarketingGravis Marketing October 30, 2012 549 ±4.2% 49% 46% — 5%Reuters/IpsosReuters/Ipsos October 29–31, 2012 716 ±4.2% 52% 42% 1% 6%NBC/WSJ/MaristNBC/WSJ/Marist October 30 – November 1, 2012 1,545 ±2.5% 52% 43% 1% 5%Mason-DixonMason-Dixon October 30 – November 1, 2012 800 ±3.5% 49% 43% 4% —Angus Reid Public Opinion November 1–3, 2012 525 ±4.3% 53% 45% 2% —Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling November 3–4, 2012 955 ±3.2% 51% 46% — 3%

Republican primary