Florida Republicans won big in the midterm elections with Gov. Ron DeSantis re-elected for a second term and Sen. Marco Rubio re-elected for a third term.

DeSantis' win marks the seventh Republican victory in the governor's race since 1998 and may be the most one-sided victory for a gubernatorial candidate since 1982. Democrats had lost by narrow margins in 2010, 2014 and 2018. In 2018, DeSantis edged Democrat Andrew Gillum by 0.4 points.

There was little threat to DeSantis in 2022 as he led in a majority of polls against former Gov. Charlie Crist. DeSantis even won over the once-Democratic counties of Miami-Dade and Palm Beach.

"We faced attacks, we took the hits, we weathered the storms, we stood our ground, we did not back down," DeSantis said at his victory party in Tampa. "... We made promises to the people of Florida and we have delivered on those promises. So today, after four years, people have delivered their verdict. Freedom is here to stay."

Crist, who became a Democrat in 20212, delivered a brief concession speech in St. Petersburg. He said he was "at peace" and wished everyone "the very best."

"It's been an absolute blessing to serve as your governor and to serve as the congressman from my hometown," said Crist. "I feel like the most blessed man ever."

In the Senate race, Rubio was holding off Rep. Val Demings by capturing 57.3% of the vote. It was a stronger showing than in 2016, when Rubio won his second term with 52%.

"I am more energized and excited about working in the Senate than I have been at any other time because I believe we are on the cusp of a new generation of leadership in this Republican Party that will restore common sense, that'll put hard-working Americans first, and that will leave for our children what they deserve to inherit, the greatest country in the history of the world," Rubio said in Miami.

Demings told an Orlando crowd that "our democracy and the American dream" wasn't over.

"In the coming years, American democracy ... will be tested," she said. "This is going to be the great challenge of our lives, possibly one of the greatest challenges our nation has ever faced."

She had been the hope of the Democratic Party that, as a congresswoman from Orlando and the city's former police chief, she would be appeal to undecided voters who wanted stronger measures to combat crime.

While Demings performed well in heavily Democratic counties such as Broward and Palm Beach, Rubio's strong showing in Miami-Dade might be cause for concern for Democrats.

For Democrats, the losses may mean a major overhaul of leadership. Prior to Tuesday's vote, Florida Democratic Party chair Manny Diaz, who had served as mayor of Miami, had faced calls to resign.

Meanwhile, Republicans swept the Florida Cabinet races. Republicans picked up key wins with Attorney General Ashley Moody and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis.

In a major victory for DeSantis, Republicans also have won enough seats for a two-thirds supermajority in the House and Senate.

Democrats have not won Florida's crucial 29 electoral college votes since 2012. In 2020, Donald Trump won the state with 51.22% of the vote.

Florida Charlie crist