Republican Ascendance

With a focus on jobs and the economy, Republicans swept away every vulnerable Democrat Tuesday.

Florida's Legislature now has a veto-proof Republican majority in the House and Senate — thanks in large part to several important victories on the Gulf Coast. But even that may be moot with the victory new Republican Gov.-elect Rick Scott of Naples.

Marco Rubio made sure the U.S. Senate seat, kept warm by Sen. George LeMieux, stays in Republican hands. Rubio got 49% of the vote in the three-way race with Independent Gov. Charlie Crist and Democratic Kendrick Meek. LeMieux was appointed to the seat by Crist last year when Sen. Mel Martinez resigned in mid-term.