Today marks an important day for voters in Florida's 1st Congressional District as they head to the polls for the primary election to select a GOP candidate who will likely succeed former Rep. Matt Gaetz in the House of Representatives. The district, located in Northwest Florida, has a strong Republican presence, with President Donald Trump winning the area in his last three elections.
Ten Republicans are vying to replace Gaetz in the primary, with notable candidates including Aaron Dimmock, who received backing from ex-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in a previous bid to remove Gaetz from office. However, the frontrunner in the race appears to be Jimmy Patronis, who has garnered endorsements from Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson.
Trump praised Patronis on his Truth Social platform, highlighting his Florida roots and commitment to key issues such as the economy, border security, military support, energy dominance, and Second Amendment rights.
Meanwhile, a special primary election is also taking place in Florida's 6th Congressional District to replace former Rep. Mike Waltz, who now serves as Trump's national security adviser. Both general elections in these districts are expected to be won by Republicans and are scheduled for April 1.
Gaetz's resignation from Congress last year came after being considered for the position of attorney general by Trump, a nomination that was later withdrawn due to mounting opposition within the Republican Party. The House Ethics Committee had been investigating allegations against Gaetz, including claims of drug use and inappropriate relations with a minor, all of which he has denied.
