(NewsNation) — Florida’s chief financial officer and Republican Jimmy Patronis and Democratic candidate Gay Valimont are both in the running to replace former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz in Florida Congressional District 1.
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Gaetz, who Trump appointed to be attorney general, resigned from Congress in 2024 amid sexual misconduct allegations and a looming ethics report. During the November election, Gaetz won the 1st Congressional District by 32 percentage points.
On Truth Social earlier this month, Trump repeated his previous endorsement of Patronis, writing that he “WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”
Results: Florida 6th Congressional District special election
Patronis and Valimont are going head-to-head in an overwhelmingly Republican area. Trump received more than 60% of the vote in 2024. However, Valimont raised almost $6.5 million compared to Patronis’ $2.1 million, according to Federal Elections Commission filings.
Other Florida Democrats also outspent their opponents. Joshua Weil raised around $9 million for his campaign, while Republican Randy Fine, a state senator endorsed by Trump, garnered nearly $1 million.
Democrats, according to the Associated Press, say the money they’ve raised is because of grassroots support fueled by anger at the first two months of Trump’s second term.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
