Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis resigned from his position and announced his candidacy for former Rep. Matt Gaetz’s (R-Fla.) seat in the 1st Congressional District on Monday.
In a letter addressed to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and Secretary of State Cord Byrd, Patronis gave notice of his resignation “in order to become a candidate in the 2025 special election for Florida’s first congressional district.”
“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as Florida’s CFO for nearly eight years,” Patronis wrote.
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The developments came hours after President-elect Trump publicly urged Patronis to run in the special election for the House seat.
“As your next Congressman, Jimmy would work tirelessly alongside of me to grow our economy, secure our border, stop migrant crime, strengthen our incredible military/vets, restore American energy DOMINANCE, and defend our always under siege Second Amendment,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
Patronis later reposted the endorsement on X, writing: “Put me to work, Mr. President! I am here to serve.”
Following Trump’s endorsement, a number of formerly announced candidates for the seat quickly dropped out of the race and backed Patronis. However, state Rep. Joel Rudman (R ) resigned his seat on Monday to run in the primary.
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“This was never about me. It was always about you. Resigning is the hardest thing to do. But for the opportunity to represent you when we make America great again? All you had to do was ask,” Rudman said in a post on X, with his resignation from the state House attached.
Air Force veteran and Gaetz’s former director of military affairs Nathan Nelson is also running for the seat.
The Republican primary for the seat is slated for Jan. 28 and the special general election is slated for April 1. The congressional district is one of the most conservative in the state. Gaetz sailed to reelection earlier this month, carrying 66 percent of the vote.
