TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The field of candidates has been set for two special elections in Florida to replace members of Congress nominated for positions in President-elect Donald Trump’s new administration. Two dozen candidates have filed to fill the seats of outgoing Republican Reps. Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz, though Trump has already considered his preferred successors.
Trump’s reliance on Florida lawmakers for his new Cabinet is setting off a political chain reaction that will open new possibilities in the state in 2026 and beyond. Several incumbent elected officials have filed for congressional seats, including state Finance Director Jimmy Patronis, creating new vacancies and election opportunities.
Both Republican congressmen easily won re-election to their respective seats in November: Gaetz in a northwest Florida district known for its sugar-sand beaches and military installations, and Waltz in a part of the state south of Jacksonville that includes Daytona Beach matters.
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The special election is not expected to replace Republicans’ slim majority in the House of Representatives, but could spark a new shake-up among the state’s political hopefuls seeking governor in 2026, now Governor Ron DeSantis’ second term is coming to an end.
Patronis is among those Republican insiders say are considering a bid for governor, and a term in Congress could raise his profile. Trump recently threw his support behind Patronis in the race to replace Gaetz in Congressional District 1, though that didn’t deter the 15 other candidates who qualified, even in a district where Trump is overwhelmingly popular.
“Jimmy Patronis has my complete and total approval,” Trump posted on his social networking site Truth Social. “RUN, JIMMY, RUN!”
Other candidates in the race include Republican state Rep. Joel Rudman, a doctor who launched his political career by criticizing mask mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic. The only Democrat in the race is Gay Valimont, an activist with the gun control group Moms Demand Action, who unsuccessfully challenged Gaetz in November.
In the race for Waltz’s seat in Congressional District 6, Republican state Rep. Randy Fine won Trump’s endorsement. Fine is a self-described “conservative rabble-rouser” who was investigated over allegations related to posting a school board member’s phone number online, sparking a wave of harassment and threats against her. No charges were filed against him.
Eight other candidates entered the race for the seat, including three Democrats and one non-party candidate: Randall Terry, an anti-abortion activist who ran for president last month with the Constitution Party.
Gaetz was appointed Trump’s attorney general before stepping aside amid the ongoing fallout from a federal investigation into sex trafficking. Gaetz has strongly denied the allegations. Although Gaetz was no longer under consideration, he had already resigned from his seat in northwest Florida, a move that effectively ended a House Ethics Committee investigation into his alleged sexual misconduct and illegal drug use.
Trump has named Waltz as his national security adviser, although the three-term congressman and retired Army National Guard officer has also been floated as a candidate for secretary of defense as the president-elect considers possible replacements in light of the growing questions about the former Fox. News anchor Pete Hegseth’s personal conduct and ability to win Senate confirmation.
Ballots for both special elections will go to military and overseas voters beginning December 14. The primary election is scheduled for January 28 and the general election will take place on April 1.
___ Kate Payne is a staff member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
