The recount for the Florida Senate District 19 Democratic race is over and the candidates are speaking out.

  • Daryl Rouson wins District 19 recount
  • Difference between Rouson, Narain was 75 votes
  • Rouson faces Republican candidate in November

The votes for State Representatives Ed Narain and Daryl Rouson for the Senate seat were so close they had to be recounted electronically and by hand.

The final number boiled down to 75 votes in Rouson’s favor, making him the Democratic Senate candidate.

“It was a small number. But what it underscores is that every vote counts in every election,” Rouson said.

Both men had hopes to snag the Senate seat to replace longtime Florida Sen. Arthenia Joyner, in a district that includes Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties. 

Narain said he held out hope until the very end.

“I told somebody it was the equivalent of watching one of my children being born. When that happened I couldn’t help my wife, I was just stuck kind of watching, waiting for the results," Narain said. "It was kind of similar there last Friday just watching the machine count and hoping that things would change, but it didn’t.”

He called Rouson Tuesday morning to congratulate him on the win.

“I really wish him the best of luck. It’s going to be a difficult position there’s no doubt about it. He’s got half a million constituents now but I’m sure he’ll do a good job,” Narain said.

A good job is exactly what Rouson says he will do come November if he wins against Republican candidate John Houman in the general election.