JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The race for the U.S. Senate ran right through Jacksonville this week.
Republican incumbent Rick Scott stopped at a ranch on Jacksonville’s Westside Saturday afternoon.
His challenger, Democrat Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, made bus stops in Jacksonville and Fernandina Beach Tuesday.
Duval County is the swing county of all swing counties.
There are about 11,000 more registered Democrats than Republicans, but with more than a fifth of registered voters not affiliated, there are a lot of votes to grab.
“What happens in Duval County decides whether we win statewide or not," said Scott.
Scott said Duval County has played a pivotal role in each of his elections from his time as governor and now as a U.S. Senator.
That's why he felt compelled to make a stop with election day looming, making sure undecided voters know what makes him a strong candidate.
“If you talk about the issues people care about, they want a job, they want their kids to get a great education and they want to be safe," said Scott. "They’re Republicans.”
Mucarsel-Powell, who spent a term in Congress, made Duval County a priority as well.
“Duval County is a dynamic state," said Mucarsel-Powell on Tuesday. "A lot of young people live here in Duval. We elected the first Democratic mayor in a long time.”
Mucarsel-Powell feels she can also appeal to undecided voters by focusing on issues particular to Florida.
“I put politics aside, worked with Republicans to bring funding for Everglades restoration, to protect our state from the impacts of climate change, to bring investments for resiliency," said Mucarsel-Powell.
Both candidates shared one thing in common – they want to see as many votes as possible.
“I just want everybody to vote," said Scott. "I think if everybody votes, we’re going to have a big win.”
“We need to get everyone to come out and vote, and for them to understand the power of their voice," said Mucarsel-Powell.
The only other thing these candidates had in common was that they’d be all over the place the next week and a half.
Mucarsel-Powell said she plans to go all around the state in front of as many people as she can, including another stop in Jacksonville this week.
Scott said he’ll be heading to Miami tomorrow before going to the West Coast where people are still recovering from Hurricane Milton.