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2025 Florida's 1st congressional district special election
Florida's 1st congressional district
Incumbent U.S. Representative; Matt Gaetz; Republican	; ;

The 2025 Florida's 1st congressional district special election will be held on April 1, 2025^[1] to fill a vacant seat in Florida's 1st congressional district previously occupied by Matt Gaetz, who resigned on November 13, 2024, after president-elect Donald Trump nominated him for attorney general of the United States.^[2] Gaetz later withdrew his nomination for attorney general on November 21.^[3] The following day, Gaetz announced he would not return to Congress. Primary elections will take place on January 28, 2025.^[4] It is considered a safely Republican district.

District profile

The 1st district takes in the westernmost area of the Florida panhandle, encompassing Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa counties, as well as about half of Walton County. A significant portion of the district's population are servicemen of the U.S. military, due in large part to the Naval Air Station near Pensacola and the nearby commuter towns of Navarre and Fort Walton Beach.

The district was given a Cook Partisan Voting Index rating of R+19 in 2022, making it the most Republican district in Florida.^[5] In the 2024 presidential election, Donald Trump won the district with 68.1%, while then-incumbent Gaetz was re-elected with 66.0% of the vote in 2024.^[6]

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

Aaron Dimmock, director for leadership programs at the University of West Florida's AWKO Center for Leadership and candidate for this district in 2024^[7]
Kevin Gaffney, teacher^[8]
Jeff Macey, software engineer^[7]
Greg Merk, pilot and candidate for this district in 2020 and 2022^[8]
John Mills, businessman and candidate for this district in 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2022^[7]
Jimmy Patronis, outgoing Chief Financial Officer of Florida (2017–2025)^[a]^[9]
Jeff Peacock, former policy director for Lee Zeldin^[7]
Joel Rudman, former state representative from the 3rd district (2022–2024)^[10]
Michael Dylan Thompson, attorney^[11]
Gene Valentino, former Escambia County commissioner^[12]

Withdrawn

John Frankman, former Green Beret (endorsed Patronis)^[13]
Keith Gross, former assistant state attorney for Florida's 18th circuit court and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2024 (endorsed Patronis)^[13]
Nathan Nelson, former director of military affairs for Matt Gaetz (endorsed Patronis)^[14]
Michelle Salzman, state representative from the 1st district (2020–present) (endorsed Patronis)^[15]
Jeff Witt, pilot (endorsed Patronis)^[16]

Declined

Alex Andrade, state representative from the 2nd district (2018–present)^[17]
Doug Broxson, former state senator from the 1st district (2016–2024)^[18]
Don Gaetz, state senator from the 1st district (2006–2016, 2024–present), former President of the Florida Senate (2012–2014), and father of Matt Gaetz^[19]
Matt Gaetz, former U.S. Representative from this district (2017–2024)^[20]
Bernadette Pittman, construction company CEO (endorsed Rudman)^[21]
D. C. Reeves, Mayor of Pensacola (2022–present)^[17]
Frank White, former state representative from the 2nd district (2016–2018) (endorsed Patronis)^[22]

Endorsements

Jimmy Patronis

Executive branch officials

Donald Trump, 45th president of the United States (2017–2021)^[23]

U.S. representatives

Mike Johnson, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives (2023–present) from Louisiana's 4th congressional district (2017–present)^[24]

State legislators

Michelle Salzman, state representative from the 1st district (2020–present)^[15]
Frank White, former state representative from the 2nd district (2016–2018)^[22]

Gene Valentino

Executive branch officials

Tom Homan, former Acting Director of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (2017–2018)^[25]

Jeff Witt (withdrawn)

Executive branch officials

Robert Wilkie, former U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs (2018–2021)^[26]

Individuals

Stanley Clarke, former director of the Air National Guard^[26]

Declined to endorse

U.S. representatives

Matt Gaetz, former U.S. representative from this district (2017–2024)^[27]

State legislators

Don Gaetz, state senator from the 1st district (2006–2016, 2024–present), former President of the Florida Senate (2012–2014), and father of Matt Gaetz^[27]

Results

Republican primary results
Party		Candidate
	Republican	Aaron Dimmock
	Republican	Kevin Gaffney
	Republican	Jeff Macey
	Republican	Greg Merk
	Republican	John Mills
	Republican	Jimmy Patronis
	Republican	Jeff Peacock
	Republican	Joel Rudman
	Republican	Michael Dylan Thompson
	Republican	Gene Valentino
Total votes

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

Gay Valimont, athletic trainer and nominee for this district in 2024^[28]

Others

Independents

Declared

Stephen Broden, pastor and Constitution Party nominee for vice president in 2024^[7]

Write-in candidates

Declared

Richard Paul Dembinsky, engineer and perennial candidate^[7]
Stanley Gray, activist^[7]
Jonathan Green, businessman^[7]
Stan McDaniels, landscaping contractor^[7]

Notes

^ Patronis submitted his resignation from his current office when he announced his campaign, which is set to become effective on March 31, 2025.

References

^ "Special Election set to replace Matt Gaetz". Florida Politics. November 22, 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
^ Beavers, Olivia; Carney, Jordain (November 13, 2024). "Gaetz resigns from Congress". Politico. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
^ Breuninger, Kevin (November 21, 2024). "Trump AG pick Matt Gaetz says he's withdrawing". CNBC. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
^ Manchester, Julia (November 22, 2024). "DeSantis sets special election for Gaetz seat". The Hill. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
^ "2022 Cook PVI: District Map and List". Cook Political Report. July 12, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
^ "2024 General Election November 5, 2024 Official Election Results". Florida Election Watch. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ "Field Of 16 Candidates Set In Special Election To Replace Matt Gaetz. Here's The List". NorthEscambia. December 7, 2024. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
^ ^a ^b Little, Jim (November 26, 2024). "Special election to replace Matt Gaetz taking shape, with more than dozen candidates". Pensacola News Journal. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
^ Ogles, Jacob (November 25, 2024). "Jimmy Patronis officially resigns as Chief Financial Officer". Florida Politics. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
^ "Rudman announces intention to join congressional race, resigns as state representative". WEAR-TV. November 25, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
^ Saul, Christopher (November 20, 2024). "Matt Gaetz Resigned… Now What? How We Elect A New Representative". Mid Bay News. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
^ Ogles, Jacob (November 23, 2024). "Gene Valentino announces campaign to succeed Matt Gaetz". Florida Politics. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
^ ^a ^b Cooper, Amber Jo (November 25, 2024). "Multiple candidates drop out after Patronis lands Trump endorsement". Florida's Voice. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
^ Irwin Taylor, Janelle (November 27, 2024). "Nathan Nelson becomes the fourth candidate to drop CD 1 bid after Donald Trump endorsement for Jimmy Patronis". Florida Politics. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
^ ^a ^b Little, Jim (November 25, 2024). "Michelle Salzman drops out after Trump backs Jimmy Patronis to fill Matt Gaetz's seat". Pensacola News Journal. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
^ Ogles, Jacob (December 3, 2024). "Jeff Witt becomes fifth CD 1 candidate to drop out and endorse Jimmy Patronis". Florida Politics. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
^ ^a ^b Little, Jim (November 14, 2024). "Campaign to replace Matt Gaetz in Congress starting to take shape". Pensacola News Journal. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
^ Ogles, Jacob (November 21, 2024). "Doug Broxson won't run to succeed Matt Gaetz in Congress". Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
^ Strickland, T.S. (November 15, 2024). "Gaetz resignation sparks political shake-up in Northwest Florida". WUWF. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
^ Brooks, Emily (November 22, 2024). "Gaetz says he will not return to Congress". The Hill. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
^ Ogles, Joel (December 5, 2024). "Joel Rudman qualifies in CD 1, lands Bernadette Pittman endorsement". Florida Politics. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
^ ^a ^b Strickland, T.S. (November 25, 2024). "Niceville fighter pilot Jeff Witt seeks Matt Gaetz's former congressional seat". WUWF. Retrieved November 27, 2024. Former Rep. Frank White, who'd also been discussed as a possible successor to Gaetz, had already endorsed Patronis last week.
^ Jaramillo, Alejandra (November 25, 2024). "Trump endorses Jimmy Patronis to fill Gaetz's seat in the House". CNN. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
^ Ogles, Joel (December 4, 2024). "Mike Johnson endorses Jimmy Patronis to succeed Matt Gaetz in Congress". Florida Politics. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
^ Ogles, Jacob (November 26, 2024). "Incoming Border Czar endorses Gene Valentino in CD 1 race". Florida Politics. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
^ ^a ^b Ogles, Jacob (November 25, 2024). "Jeff Witt latest veteran to enter fight for Matt Gaetz's congressional seat". Florida Politics. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
^ ^a ^b Gancarski, A.G. (November 16, 2024). "Exclusive: Matt Gaetz, Don Gaetz aren't endorsing in CD 1 GOP Primary". Florida Politics. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
^ Ogles, Jacob (November 18, 2024). "Gay Valimont announces another CD 1 run days after losing to Matt Gaetz". Florida Politics. Retrieved November 18, 2024.

External links

[9] Patronis submitted his resignation from his current office when he announced his campaign, which is set to become effective on March 31, 2025.

[1] "Special Election set to replace Matt Gaetz". Florida Politics. November 22, 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.

[2] Beavers, Olivia; Carney, Jordain (November 13, 2024). "Gaetz resigns from Congress". Politico. Retrieved November 13, 2024.

[3] Breuninger, Kevin (November 21, 2024). "Trump AG pick Matt Gaetz says he's withdrawing". CNBC. Retrieved November 21, 2024.

[4] Manchester, Julia (November 22, 2024). "DeSantis sets special election for Gaetz seat". The Hill. Retrieved November 22, 2024.

[Cook-5] "2022 Cook PVI: District Map and List". Cook Political Report. July 12, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2023.

[6] "2024 General Election November 5, 2024 Official Election Results". Florida Election Watch. Retrieved November 22, 2024.

[Qualified-7] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ "Field Of 16 Candidates Set In Special Election To Replace Matt Gaetz. Here's The List". NorthEscambia. December 7, 2024. Retrieved December 20, 2024.

[dozen-8] Little, Jim (November 26, 2024). "Special election to replace Matt Gaetz taking shape, with more than dozen candidates". Pensacola News Journal. Retrieved November 27, 2024.

[10] Ogles, Jacob (November 25, 2024). "Jimmy Patronis officially resigns as Chief Financial Officer". Florida Politics. Retrieved November 25, 2024.

[11] "Rudman announces intention to join congressional race, resigns as state representative". WEAR-TV. November 25, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2024.

[12] Saul, Christopher (November 20, 2024). "Matt Gaetz Resigned… Now What? How We Elect A New Representative". Mid Bay News. Retrieved November 21, 2024.

[13] Ogles, Jacob (November 23, 2024). "Gene Valentino announces campaign to succeed Matt Gaetz". Florida Politics. Retrieved November 23, 2024.

[multiple-14] Cooper, Amber Jo (November 25, 2024). "Multiple candidates drop out after Patronis lands Trump endorsement". Florida's Voice. Retrieved November 25, 2024.

[15] Irwin Taylor, Janelle (November 27, 2024). "Nathan Nelson becomes the fourth candidate to drop CD 1 bid after Donald Trump endorsement for Jimmy Patronis". Florida Politics. Retrieved December 3, 2024.

[salzman-16] Little, Jim (November 25, 2024). "Michelle Salzman drops out after Trump backs Jimmy Patronis to fill Matt Gaetz's seat". Pensacola News Journal. Retrieved November 25, 2024.

[17] Ogles, Jacob (December 3, 2024). "Jeff Witt becomes fifth CD 1 candidate to drop out and endorse Jimmy Patronis". Florida Politics. Retrieved December 3, 2024.

[Shape-18] Little, Jim (November 14, 2024). "Campaign to replace Matt Gaetz in Congress starting to take shape". Pensacola News Journal. Retrieved November 18, 2024.

[19] Ogles, Jacob (November 21, 2024). "Doug Broxson won't run to succeed Matt Gaetz in Congress". Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government. Retrieved November 22, 2024.

[Shake-up-20] Strickland, T.S. (November 15, 2024). "Gaetz resignation sparks political shake-up in Northwest Florida". WUWF. Retrieved November 19, 2024.

[21] Brooks, Emily (November 22, 2024). "Gaetz says he will not return to Congress". The Hill. Retrieved November 22, 2024.

[22] Ogles, Joel (December 5, 2024). "Joel Rudman qualifies in CD 1, lands Bernadette Pittman endorsement". Florida Politics. Retrieved December 7, 2024.

[fighter-23] Strickland, T.S. (November 25, 2024). "Niceville fighter pilot Jeff Witt seeks Matt Gaetz's former congressional seat". WUWF. Retrieved November 27, 2024. Former Rep. Frank White, who'd also been discussed as a possible successor to Gaetz, had already endorsed Patronis last week.

[24] Jaramillo, Alejandra (November 25, 2024). "Trump endorses Jimmy Patronis to fill Gaetz's seat in the House". CNN. Retrieved November 25, 2024.

[25] Ogles, Joel (December 4, 2024). "Mike Johnson endorses Jimmy Patronis to succeed Matt Gaetz in Congress". Florida Politics. Retrieved December 7, 2024.

[26] Ogles, Jacob (November 26, 2024). "Incoming Border Czar endorses Gene Valentino in CD 1 race". Florida Politics. Retrieved November 26, 2024.

[Witt-27] Ogles, Jacob (November 25, 2024). "Jeff Witt latest veteran to enter fight for Matt Gaetz's congressional seat". Florida Politics. Retrieved November 26, 2024.

[Gaetz-28] Gancarski, A.G. (November 16, 2024). "Exclusive: Matt Gaetz, Don Gaetz aren't endorsing in CD 1 GOP Primary". Florida Politics. Retrieved November 16, 2024.

[29] Ogles, Jacob (November 18, 2024). "Gay Valimont announces another CD 1 run days after losing to Matt Gaetz". Florida Politics. Retrieved November 18, 2024.

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2025 Florida's 1st congressional district special election

District profile

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

Withdrawn

Declined

Endorsements

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

Others

Independents

Declared

Write-in candidates

Declared

See also

Notes

References

External links

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