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5. Bill Nelson concedes Florida Senate race to Rick Scott

Bill Nelson and Rick Scott. Photos: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson conceded the highly contested Florida Senate race to Florida Republican Gov. Rick Scott, according to a statement from Scott. After rounds of recounts in the state, Scott maintained a lead of about 10,000 votes.

Why it matters: Nelson was one of 10 Senate Democrats running for re-election in a state Donald Trump won in 2016. His defeat at the hands of Scott, a two-term governor, will help Republicans consolidate their Senate majority. The bitter and expensive race comes to an end after two rounds of mandatory recounts and a series of dueling lawsuits and unfounded accusations of voter fraud from the Scott camp.

Go deeper

Lachlan Markay
6 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Collins helps contractor before pro-Susan PAC gets donation

Sen. Susan Collins during her reelection campaign. Photo: Scott Eisen/Getty Images

A PAC backing Sen. Susan Collins in her high-stakes reelection campaign received $150,000 from an entity linked to the wife of a defense contractor whose firm Collins helped land a federal contract, new public records show.

Why it matters: The executive, Martin Kao of Honolulu, leaned heavily on his political connections to boost his business, federal prosecutors say in an ongoing criminal case against him. The donation linked to Kao was veiled until last week.

Go deeper (2 min. read)Arrow
Lachlan Markay
6 hours ago - Politics & Policy

How cutting GOP corporate cash could backfire

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

Companies pulling back on political donations, particularly to members of Congress who voted against certifying President Biden's election win, could inadvertently push Republicans to embrace their party's rightward fringe.

Why it matters: Scores of corporate PACs have paused, scaled back or entirely abandoned their political giving programs. While designed to distance those companies from events that coincided with this month's deadly siege on the U.S. Capitol, research suggests the moves could actually empower the far-right.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow
Alayna Treene, author of Sneak Peek
9 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Scoop: Kaine, Collins pitch Senate colleagues on censuring Trump

Sen. Tim Kaine speaks with Sen. Susan Collins. Photo: Andrew Harnik/AP via Getty Images

Sens. Tim Kaine and Susan Collins are privately pitching their colleagues on a bipartisan resolution censuring former President Trump, three sources familiar with the discussions tell Axios.

Why it matters: Senators are looking for a way to condemn Trump on the record as it becomes increasingly unlikely Democrats will obtain the 17 Republican votes needed to gain a conviction in his second impeachment.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow