Florida Sen. Bill Nelson, who reportedly conceded defeat just after midnight in his re-election bid against GOP Gov. Rick Scott, is now awaiting a recount.

“We are proceeding to a recount,” Nelson, the Democrat who is seeking a fourth term, said in a statement Wednesday.

Nelson trailed Scott by 34,537 with all of Florida’s precincts reporting by Wednesday morning. More than 8.1 million people cast votes in the race.

Florida state law requires a recount if the vote is within half a percentage point. Scott’s lead over Nelson is 0.4 percent with some absentee and provisional ballots still awaiting processing and reporting.

Scott’s campaign characterized Nelson’s apparent backtrack on his concession as a desperate move to cling to power.

“This race is over,” Scott’s campaign said in a statement. “It’s a sad way for Bill Nelson to end his career. He is desperately trying to hold on to something that no longer exists.”

The Associated Press has not called the Florida Senate election for Scott, one of three such races in the chamber along with Montana and Arizona.