The former after Friday’s news Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz has no plans to return to Congress After being considered for President-elect Donald Trump’s attorney general, it appears his seat will be vacant for months, presenting a challenge to House Republicans who already hold a slim majority in the upcoming Congress.
On Friday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis set a special primary election in FL-01 for January 28th and a general election for April 1st. That means Gaetz’s seat will be unfilled for at least 12 weeks in the 119th Congress.
“Under the direction of Gov. Ron DeSantis, this special election is being held as quickly as legally possible,” Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd said Friday. “We are committed to holding these elections as soon as state law permits.”
Such a vacancy would reduce the Republicans’ narrow majority in the next Congress, and it will only continue to shrink if Reps. Elise Stefanik and Michael Waltz are confirmed to join Trump’s cabinet.
ABC News predicts that Republicans won 219 seats and Democrats won 213 in the House. The numbers do not take into account any departures for Trump administration jobs or Gaetz’s resignation. There are still three outstanding House races that have yet to be called, which will determine the final size of the GOP’s majority.
Matt Gaetz arrives before President-elect Donald Trump speaks at an America First Policy Institute gala at Mar-a-Lago on November 14, 2024 in Palm Beach, Florida.
Alex Brandon/AP
The special election schedule is at the discretion of Florida’s governor. For example, DeSantis’ set 2022 dates to fill the vacancy left by the late Democratic Rep. Alcee Hastings left the seat open for nine months, even as Democrats pushed for a faster process.
At least a half-dozen Florida Republicans have already expressed interest in running for Gaetz’s seat. 538 rates Gaetz as a “strong Republican” who represented Florida’s 1st Congressional District for eight years.
Gaetz spoke Friday with conservative commentator Charlie Kirk in his first interview since retiring as Trump’s attorney general. During the interview, the conservative fireman announced that he would not return to Congress, even though he was re-elected by 32 points in November.
“I will fight for President Trump. I will do whatever he asks of me, as I have always done,” Gaetz said. “But I think, probably, eight years will be enough in the Congress of the United States.”
ABC News’ Jay O’Brien contributed to this report.
