Senator Mitch McConnell fended off a challenge from Florida Sen. Rick Scott to hold on to his position as GOP leader on Wednesday. In a secret ballot election, McConnell, R-Ky., garnered 37 votes to Scott's 10, with one senator abstaining, according to Sen. Ted Cruz. McConnell gave a thumbs up as he walked through the Capitol after securing his victory. A separate vote on a motion to delay the leadership vote until after the Georgia Senate run-off election on December 6 also failed 16-32.