ORMOND BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Republican state Sen. Randy Fine won a special election Tuesday to represent Florida’s 6th Congressional District, defeating Democratic challenger Josh Weil and squashing efforts by national Democrats who spent millions of dollars on the race.

Fine was on track for a much narrower victory than the 33-point margin by which Mike Waltz won the district in November, according to early returns.

The narrowing margins may signal a shift in public sentiment, driven by unusually strong Democratic enthusiasm in a traditionally Republican stronghold. It’s happening less than five months since the presidential election and following a strong fundraising surge among Democrats worried about the aggressive overhaul of government initiated by President Donald Trump in his first few months in office.

Fine had faced growing pressure during the race’s final days as some Republicans publicly criticized his campaign and fundraising efforts. His victory ends Democratic hopes to score a huge upset in a district that was heavily supportive of Trump in November.