Despite billionaire Jeff Greene unleashing millions against him, U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek won the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate election on Tuesday.

He now faces the general election challenge of catching former House Speaker Marco Rubio, who won the Republican nomination easily, and Gov. Charlie Crist, who is running without party affiliation.

CNN called the race less than a half-hour after the poll closed. With more than 489,000 votes counted, Meek carried 55 percent and Greene pulled 33 percent. Health educator Glenn Burkett placed third with 7 percent while former Miami Mayor Maurice Ferre trailed with 5 percent.

"Tonight, Floridians sent a clear message - they want a real Democrat representing them in the U.S. Senate," said Meek. "I am the only candidate who supports a woman's right to choose and equal pay for equal work, has fought against privatizing Social Security, and will repeal the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans and cut taxes for the middle class."

"Floridians need leaders who are willing to stand up for middle-class families -- tireless fighters who know what it means to tackle big issues," added Meek. "They deserve leaders who will fight tooth-and-nail to preserve Social Security and will stand with President Obama to rebuild Florida's middle class. Most of all, Floridians want leaders who will fight for them all the time, not just when it helps their own political career or advances an extreme philosophy."

"The naysayers said we couldn't beat a billionaire, and tonight with your help, we proved them wrong," said Meek. "We have the momentum in this race, and over the next 70 days, we'll make sure that every Floridian knows that there is just one candidate who will fight for everyday Florida families. In 10 weeks, Floridians will prove the naysayers wrong once more and send a real Democrat to Washington, D.C."

"Kendrick is the strong nominee our party needs in November," said Karen Thurman, chairwoman of the Florida Democratic Party. "He is the only real Democrat in this race against not one, but two lifelong conservatives who have consistently stood against the middle class.”

In his concession speech at a party in West Palm Beach, Greene said, "I'm a Democrat, and I will do anything I can to make sure we have a Democratic controlled Senate and Kendrick Meek is elected senator from the state of Florida." Greene pledged to back Meek both on the trail and with his wallet.