Trump-Endorsed Congressional Candidates Victorious In Special Election Primaries

Republican candidates endorsed by President Trump won their GOP primaries in the special elections to replace former Reps. Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz.

Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis won the Republican primary in the state’s 1st Congressional District, while state Sen. Randy Fine won the Republican primary in the state’s 6th Congressional District.

BREAKING: Jimmy Patronis wins Republican nomination for U.S. House in Florida’s 1st Congressional District special primary election. #APRaceCall at 8:07 p.m. EST. https://t.co/FjgpZFcJ4E

— AP Politics (@AP_Politics) January 29, 2025

AP: Randy Fine wins https://t.co/0ohz5v4hoL pic.twitter.com/K4GTzwi1zA

— Politics & Poll Tracker (@PollTracker2024) January 29, 2025

From the Associated Press:

In the 1st District election to replace Gaetz, Patronis fended off a challenge from former state Rep. Joel Rudman, a doctor who gained political prominence for opposing mask mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patronis will advance to the general election to face Gay Valimont, who ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination in the race for the northwest Florida seat.

Patronis, who grew up in Panama City, has been a familiar face in Florida politics for decades and previously served in the state House of Representatives. His family is well-known in the area for founding a local seafood restaurant.

The 1st District seat opened up when Gaetz announced he wouldn’t be returning to Congress, after he bowed out of consideration to be Trump’s attorney general amid allegations of sexual misconduct.

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Fine fought off challenges from two other Republicans in the 6th Congressional District race for Waltz’s seat. The district includes Daytona Beach and communities south of Jacksonville.

Fine is known for his support of Israel and his efforts to restrict LGBTQ+ rights. He had been a key ally of Gov. Ron DeSantis before breaking with him over Fine’s accusations the governor wasn’t doing enough to combat antisemitism.

Both Republican candidates are expected to win the general election in April to expand the GOP’s razor-thin House majority.

“This victory isn’t mine. It is Donald Trump’s,” Fine said, according to the Associated Press.

TODAY: Two Trump-endorsed candidates for Congress in FLORIDA have their GOP primaries.

FL-1: Florida Chief Financial Officer @JimmyPatronis
FL-6: State Sen. @VoteRandyFine pic.twitter.com/RkPkz45SNr

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) January 28, 2025

Per CNN:

Fine will face Democrat Josh Weil, a teacher, in the general election to fill the seat vacated by Waltz.

In the race to fill former Rep. Matt Gaetz’s seat in the northwestern 1st District, Patronis, who was endorsed by Trump in November, defeated a crowded field, including Aaron Dimmock, a Navy veteran who ran against Gaetz in the 2024 GOP primary. Patronis is now on the fast track to replace Gaetz, who represented the district for four terms.

Gaetz, who won reelection last year, vacated his seat when Trump tapped him for US attorney general in November. Eight days later, Gaetz withdrew his nomination just before the release of a House Ethics Committee report detailing allegations of sexual misconduct and drug use. Before the report was released, Gaetz posted on social media that it’s “embarrassing, though not criminal, that I probably partied, womanized, drank and smoked more than I should have earlier in life. I live a different life now.”

Patronis, 52, has deep roots in Florida politics. He has served on the Florida Elections Commission, the Florida Public Service Commission, and served four terms in the state House. The 1st District, situated in the Florida Panhandle, is overwhelmingly Republican.

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Due to Florida’s resign-to-run law, Patronis submitted his resignation last month, saying he will leave office effective March 31. He will face Democrat Gay Valimont, the 2024 Democratic nominee, in the special general election.

With Republicans holding on to a narrow 218-215 House majority, the arrival of Fine and Patronis would bring the GOP’s majority back to 220 seats. The GOP is expecting one more resignation, from New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, who was nominated to serve as UN ambassador.

This is a Guest Post from our friends over at 100 Percent Fed Up.

View the original article here.