By Florida Politics’ Scott Powers, 2/04/2019:
Florida’s U.S. Senate election campaigns cost $204.8 million in 2018, nearly doubling the state’s previous record, with Republican U.S. Sen. Rick Scott fueling his election with nearly $64 million of his own personal fortune while Democratic former U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson relied on $55 million in support from other groups.
In the end, Scott’s campaign spent $85.2 million, including his own $64 million, and Republican outside groups spent another $32.3 million in Florida in 2018 to help elect him.
Nelson’s campaign spent $32.4 million, none of it his, while Democratic outside groups tossed in another $54.8 million in a failed attempt to re-elect him.
… The total surely smashed the election campaign overall spending record in Florida. The 2018 total is almost $100 million more than was spent on the 2016 U.S. Senate race in Florida …