TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Democratic Rep. Kendrick Meek and Republican ex-state House Speaker Marco Rubio were winners in Florida's U.S. Senate primary election Tuesday, returns showed.
Their victories set up a three-way battle for the general election, as Gov. Charlie Crist -- who dumped the GOP to run as an independent -- waited on the primary sidelines.
With 51 percent of precincts reporting, Meek had 54 percent of the Democratic votes to 33 percent for billionaire Jeff Greene, 7 percent for Glenn Burkett and 5 percent for Maurice Ferre. CNN said the spread was enough to give the win to Meek.
Rubio easily bested two Republican opponents, raking in 84 percent of the votes. William Kogut had 9 percent and William Escoffery had 7 percent.
In Florida's gubernatorial primaries, CNN projected state Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink had won the Democratic primary, while early results showed Naples businessman Rick Scott leading Attorney General Bill McCollum.
With 48 percent of precincts reporting, Scott held a 46 percent to 43 percent margin over McCollum. Mike McCalister was third with 10 percent.
Sink was breezing to victory with 77 percent to 23 percent for Brian Moore.
A recent poll commissioned by The Miami Herald, St. Petersburg Times and two cable news channels shows Crist capturing at least 32 percent of the vote in November against Rubio and Meek.
