TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis and U.S. Sen. Rick Scott declared President Donald Trump the winner of Florida in Tuesday's election, hours before major media outlets did so.
Just before 9 p.m., DeSantis tweeted, "Florida voters have made their voices heard, delivering a BIG WIN for President."
Included in the governor's tweet was an image that said "FLORIDA GOES RED" and "Florida's 29 electoral votes go to President Donald J. Trump."
Florida voters have made their voices heard, delivering a BIG WIN for President @realDonaldTrump. pic.twitter.com/94gyYdbpLE
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantisFL) November 4, 2020
Minutes later, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott tweeted that "@realDonaldTrump has won the state of Florida! We worked hard to deliver this state for President Trump and our voters SHOWED UP!"
BREAKING: @realDonaldTrump has won the state of Florida!
— Rick Scott (@ScottforFlorida) November 4, 2020
We worked hard to deliver this state for President Trump and our voters SHOWED UP! pic.twitter.com/Qi9YDzc0hp
Shortly before DeSantis sent his tweet, Florida Secretary of State Laurel Lee held a news conference and did not mention President Trump winning Florida.
About three hours later, just after 12 a.m. Wednesday, the Associated Press officially declared Trump the winner in Florida.
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Lee said it's too soon to tell if a recount will be needed in the Sunshine State.
"If we do, in fact, require a recount, it is important to note that the procedures for recounts are now very clearly defined in our statutes," Lee said. "Both the thresholds that will trigger a recount, and how those recounts will be conducted."