Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida prevailed over Democrat Rep. Patrick Murphy in the Sunshine State Tuesday.

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For Rubio, it’s a comeback of sorts after losing the presidential primary in March.

It was clear Obama desired to be rid of Rubio, whom many Democrats fear is a rising star.

Rubio wasn’t sure about running again, but was talked into it by top Republican leaders. Rubio jumped back into the Senate race in the summer, and never fell behind Murphy.

The Associated Press called the race at 8:05 p.m.

Rubio won 50.8 percent of the vote, to Murphy’s 45.5 percent. Eighty-one percent of Florida precincts have reported. Rubio accumulated 3.94 million votes by just after 8 p.m.

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Rubio was targeted by Hillary Clinton and President Obama as they campaigned in Florida numerous times. But Murphy was just a small mention in their overall pitch to elect Hillary Clinton.

Still, it was clear Obama desired to be rid of Rubio, whom many Democrats fear is a rising star. Obama mocked Rubio for not rescinding his endorsement of Trump.

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But Rubio’s campaign still had momentum and staff from his presidential race. They put into place a campaign machine not unlike the one that lifted Rubio to a stunning win over former Gov. Charlie Crist in 2010.

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The Florida GOP and Rubio campaign targeted Hispanics. At one point, Rubio was tied with Murphy in Miami-Dade County, the Democratic stronghold where Rubio lives. It is heavy with Hispanics, who told journalists they knew Rubio — but did not know Murphy.

Rubio never trailed Murphy. On Tuesday morning, Rubio led by 3.7 percent in the RealClearPolitics’ average of polls. Statistician Nate Silver’s website, fivethirtyeight.com, gave him an 89.7 percent chance of winning.

Helping Rubio was the Hispanic vote. His campaign targeted Cubans and Dominicans.

Rubio had a natural advantage, being the son of Cuban immigrants. It paid off as he kept his Democratic opponent low in the large Democratic enclave of Miami-Dade County.