TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) 鈥� President -endorsed candidates Jimmy Patronis and Randy Fine won their Republican primaries in the special elections to replace former Florida Reps. and , notching wins in reliably conservative districts.
Republicans are expected to hold the seats following the general election April 1, which would boost their thin majority in the U.S. House as they pursue Trump鈥檚 agenda.
In the 1st District election to replace Gaetz, Patronis fended off a challenge from former state Rep. Joel Rudman, a doctor who gained political prominence for opposing mask mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patronis will advance to the general election to face Gay Valimont, who ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination in the race for the northwest Florida seat.
Patronis, who grew up in Panama City, has been a familiar face in Florida politics for decades and previously served in the state House of Representatives. His family is well-known in the area for founding a local seafood restaurant.
The 1st District seat opened up when Gaetz announced he , after he bowed out of consideration to be amid .
Fine fought off challenges from two other Republicans in the 6th Congressional District race for Waltz鈥檚 seat. The district includes Daytona Beach and communities south of Jacksonville.
Fine is known for his support of Israel and his efforts to restrict LGBTQ+ rights. He had been a key ally of Gov. Ron DeSantis before breaking with him over Fine鈥檚 accusations the governor wasn鈥檛 doing enough to combat antisemitism.
鈥淭his victory isn鈥檛 mine. It is Donald Trump鈥檚,鈥� Fine said Tuesday night from a special session on immigration in Tallahassee. 鈥淚t is first electoral win since Nov. 5. And Republicans overwhelmingly showed they remain committed to his agenda. And I can promise him 鈥� and every voter 鈥� no one will be more committed to his success than me. I鈥檓 ready to go.鈥�
State representatives who were debating the proposed immigration bill broke out in applause when Fine entered the chamber on Tuesday night.
Fine will advance to the general election to face Democrat Josh Weil, a public school teacher from Orlando. The 6th District seat opened up after Trump tapped Waltz to be his .
Both Fine and Patronis have faced criticism for not living in the districts they want to represent.
University of Central Florida political scientist Aubrey Jewett said there鈥檚 a chance Democrats could run up the margins in a low turnout scenario, pointing to other recent special elections.
鈥淒emocrats might be able to take Waltz鈥檚 seat, but it would take a small miracle,鈥� Jewett said. 鈥淚 think for the Gaetz seat, that would be more than a small miracle. It would be like a very large miracle to take that one.鈥�
Kate Payne And Stephany Matat, The Associated Press
