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President Trump calls on Florida Democrat to concede, implies fraud

Posted at 2:28 PM, Nov 13, 2018
and last updated 2018-11-13 15:03:36-05

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump again weighed in on Florida's election recount Tuesday, calling for the state's Democratic senator to admit he lost and again implied two counties' election officials are trying to steal the election from the Republicans without offering any proof.

Trump tweeted out Tuesday morning, "When will Bill Nelson concede in Florida? The characters running Broward and Palm Beach voting will not be able to 'find' enough votes, too much spotlight on them now!" Nelson is narrowly losing his re-election bid to Republican Gov. Rick Scott, who has also accused Broward and Palm Beach of fraud.

Senator Nelson made a statement in Washington Tuesday afternoon. He said the recount is about making sure every legal ballot is counted. He accused Scott of using his power as governor to undermine the voting process.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer accused Scott and President Trump of trying to bully election officials out of doing their jobs. 

“It is fitting that Bill Nelson’s first public comments after losing this race are in Washington D.C. with his boss, Chuck Schumer. It is time for both of them to accept the fact that Floridians elected Rick Scott last Tuesday night. It's sad that Nelson will be remembered as a career politician that couldn’t concede gracefully," Republican National Committee Deputy Florida Communications Director Joe Jackson said in a statement.