A total of 16 candidates have qualified to run in the Special Election to replace former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz in Florida’s 1st Congressional District. The candidates include 10 Republicans, a Democrat, a candidate without party affiliation, and four write-in candidates. The Republican primary on Jan. 28 includes candidates like Aaron Dimmock, Kevin Gaffney, Jeff Macey, Greg Merk, John Mills, Jimmy Patronis, Jeff Peacock, Joel Rudman, Michael Dylan Thompson, and Gene Valentino. Other candidates will appear on the April 1 ballot for the Special General Election.
Key candidates include Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, who has received a critical endorsement from Trump, and Aaron Dimmock, a former fighter pilot recruited by Kevin McCarthy who has already spent over $300,000 on his campaign. Democrat Gay Valimont is also running, emphasizing the need for respectful representation in the district. The district is known for being conservative, with a majority of registered Republicans.
The Special Election comes after Gaetz’s resignation, who won the seat in 2016 and 2020 with a significant majority. With a majority of the electorate being registered Republicans, the race is expected to be competitive among the candidates vying for the seat. The candidates bring diverse backgrounds and priorities to the race, promising to address issues like veterans’ benefits, immigration, and economic policies.
Source
Photo credit floridapolitics.com