MIAMI — Florida will hold a special election to fill Matt Gaetz’s vacated House seat on April 1, 2025, setting off a contest among Florida Republicans representing deep red districts. .
Gaetz resigned from Congress after President-elect Donald Trump said he planned to nominate him as attorney general. He later withdrew his candidacy for the position on Thursday, citing “distractions” from the upcoming confirmation process that raised questions about sexual misconduct and drug use allegations, which he denies. Instead, Trump said he plans to nominate former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Gaetz said Friday morning that he does not intend to return to Congress, but has not yet announced what he will do next.
“I’m going to fight for President Trump,” Gaetz told Charlie Kirk on his radio show. “I’m going to do whatever he asks me to do, as always. But I think eight years is probably enough in the United States Congress.”
Filling the 1st District seat will take several months due to requirements such as qualifying rounds, overseas voting deadlines, and the need to hold both a primary and general election.
The primary election is scheduled for January 28, and the Republican nominee will be the heavy favorite over the Democratic candidate.
“At the direction of Governor Ron DeSantis, this special election will be held as soon as legally possible,” Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd said in a statement. “We are committed to ensuring that elections are held as soon as state law allows them to be held.”
Republican state Rep. Michelle Saltzman filed to run for Gaetz’s 1st District seat on Tuesday, and Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis said he was “strongly considering” a similar run. . “We have a historic opportunity to fight the quagmire, end the legal system, and put power back in the hands of Americans,” he wrote to X.
Republican state Rep. Joel Rudman has also filed to run, saying in a press release Friday morning that he is “aligned” with President Trump. Another name being floated for the District 1 seat is James Usmayer, DeSantis’ chief of staff.
If Patronis runs, DeSantis will choose a CFO to replace him. That would set up a 2026 challenge to state Sen. Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota), a longtime DeSantis opponent who has already filed to run and has the support of President Trump. It would be helpful.
If Mr. Trump gains support in the election campaign, there is a high possibility that the future representative will be anointed. Salzman supported DeSantis in the primary, but Patronis, who was considering a gubernatorial run in 2026, remained neutral until DeSantis withdrew.
Another special election is scheduled soon in Florida. President Trump also nominated Congressman Mike Walz to serve as national security adviser. But a special election is not yet on the calendar, as Walz has not announced when he will step down and could take office at the beginning of next year’s new Congress. This is not unusual for a lawmaker appointed to serve in the next president’s administration.
