Here's what we know about the 76-year-old politician who was elected as a Democrat to the US Senate in 2000.
Who is Bill Nelson?
Bill Nelson, whose full name is Clarence William Nelson II, is a Democrat from the state of Florida who is running for a fourth term.
In the Florida Senate race, Nelson is currently falling short to governor of Florida Rick Scott.
Scott currently holds the lead 50.1 per cent of votes, compared to Nelson's 49.9 per cent.
He was first elected to the US House of Representatives in 1978, and has also served in the Florida House of Representatives and as the state's insurance commissioner.
Nelson was also the second sitting member of Congress to travel into space in 1986.
After he earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Yale University in 1965, he then received a doctorate of law degree from University of Virginia School of Law in 1968.
He served in the US Army Reserve for six years and earned the rank of captain.
Who is Rick Scott?
Rick Scott is the Republican governor of Florida and has been since January 2011.
The 65-year-old was born in Illinois, and earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and his Juris Doctor degree from Southern Methodist University.
Before he was elected for governor, he had a long career in the health insurance industry.
What are their views on current issues?
Issues such as health care, the economy, and immigration are the topics the two candidates have opposing views on.
Nelson is a supporter of the Affordable Care Act, and he has been dissatisfied with Scott for not expanding Medicaid in Florida under the law, reported Tampa Bay Times.
Scott began his political career railing against the Affordable Care Act, arguing it would increase health care costs.
During his time as governor, Scott pushed for lower taxes and supported the 2017 GOP tax bill passed by Congress, which cut taxes for most Americans.
Nelson, however, did not support the 2017 GOP bill, arguing the legislation would make it more likely for companies to move jobs to foreign countries.
During his time as a senator, Nelson voted for tax increases on the wealthiest Americans.
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