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

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Qualified

Withdrew

Declined

Polling

Endorsements

Results

[[File:Florida U.S. Senate Republican primary, 2012.svg|275px|thumb|Results by county: {{legend|#E27F7F|Mack}} {{legend|#FFB2B2|40–50%}} {{legend|#E27F7F|50–60%}} {{legend|#D75D5D|60–70%}} {{legend|#D72F30|70–80%}} {{legend|#FF9A50|Weldon}} {{legend|#FF9A50|50–60%}} ]]

General election

From a long way out, 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. For example, Nelson 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

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.

Fundraising

Top contributors

Top industries

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 and three other Senate elections. In Florida, the money was to be spent by its affiliate, American Crossroads.

Predictions

Polling

Republican primary General election

Results

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

By congressional district

Nelson won 20 of 27 congressional districts, including ten that elected Republicans.