Florida’s Democratic U.S. Senator Bill Nelson appears to be pushing forward with his re-election efforts despite talk within certain political circles that he may not challenge presumptive Republican senatorial candidate, Florida Governor Rick Scott, in the 2018 midterm elections.

The political chatter is all about Nelson having enough money to counter the potential millions of campaign dollars Scott could inject into the race, and the millions more that outside groups will expend to defeat the three-term Nelson.

If Nelson can’t counter the millions of dollars that will be stacked against him, why shouldn’t he announce that he would not seek re-election, and save himself the embarrassment of possibly losing to Scott in a landslide?

Scott has a bigger bully pulpit than Nelson, and has followed through with his 2010 campaign promises, not to mention his response to the recent natural disaster that have hit the state, have all-but made him ‘untouchable’ come 2018.

But like we said, Nelson isn’t giving up and continues to fundraise.

Nelson’s latest online fundraising ask points to the known fact that for Democrats to control the US Senate, they need to retain his seat. Nelson finally appears to be acknowledging that Gov Scott will indeed challenge him next year.

Here is an excerpt of the fundraising email: Control of the Senate is at stake, and the ONLY way we can fight back and defend Florida’s Senate seat against Gov. Rick Scott and his wealthy right-wing backers is with the help of grassroots donors like you. But time is running out before our crucial mid-month deadline, and we’re still falling $11,700 short of our goal.  Can we count on you to give $5 or more right now to help us defend Bill and protect Florida’s Senate seat?

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Acknowledging Rick Scott as a threat could be a sign of weakness for Nelson, or not.