TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The field of candidates has been set for two special elections in Florida to replace members of Congress appointed to the new administration of President-elect Donald Trump. Two dozen candidates have filed to run for the seats of Republican Reps. Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz, though Trump has weighed in on his preferred successor.
Trump’s confidence in Florida lawmakers is building on his new cabinet political chain reaction that is opening up new opportunities in the state in 2026 and beyond. Multiple elected officials have filed to run for congressional seats, including state Finance Director Jimmy Patronis, prompting other vacancies and election opportunities.
Both GOP congressmen easily won re-election to their 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 southern state of Jacksonville that includes Daytona Beach.
The special election to replace them is not expected to change Slim Republican majority In the House, but it could cause another stir among state political hopefuls in a run for governor in 2026, as Gov. Ron DeSantis’ second term ends.
Patronis is among those Republicans say are considering a run for governor, and a term in Congress could help raise his profile. Trump recently threw his support behind Patronis in the race to replace Gaetz in the 1st Congressional District, though that didn’t sway the 15 other candidates who qualified to run, even in a district where Trump is very popular.
“Jimmy Patronis has my full and complete endorsement,” Trump posted on the social network 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, a gun control activist with Moms Demand Action, who unsuccessfully challenged Gaetz in November.
In the race for Waltz’s seat in the 6th Congressional District, Republican State Rep. Randy Fine secured Trump’s endorsement. Fine is a self-described “conservative firebrand” who was investigated for allegations related to posting a school board member’s phone number online, which led to a wave of harassment and threats against him. No charges were filed against him.
Eight other candidates have jumped into the race for the seat, including three Democrats and one party-affiliated candidate — Randall Terry, an anti-abortion activist who ran as the Constitution Party’s presidential candidate last month.
It was Gaetz Trump’s attorney generalbefore leaving aside between the continuous fall of more than one federal sex trafficking investigation. Gaetz has strongly denied the accusations. Although no longer under scrutiny, Gaetz had already resigned from his northwest Florida seat, effectively ending the House Ethics Committee. research his alleged sexual behavior and illegal drug use.
Trump named his Waltz national security adviseralthough a three-term congressman and a retired Army National Guard officer have also been nominated as candidates. defense secretaryas the president-elect considered possible replacements amid mounting questions about the former Fox News host by Pete Hegseth personal conduct and ability to win Senate confirmation.
Voting for the two special elections will begin on December 14 for military and overseas voters. The primaries are set for January 28th and the general election will be held on April 1st.
___ Kate Payne is a member of The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for the Americas It is a national non-profit service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on the issues they cover.
