Winner projected for Matt Gaetz's vacated house seat in Florida special election

Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis has been projected the winner in the special election to replace embattled former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), who stepped down for an unsuccessful run to be attorney general, defeating Democrat Gay Valimont in Florida’s 1st Congressional District.

Valimont, a gun prevention activist and 2024 Democratic nominee, trailed Gaetz by over 30 percentage points in the November general election. This time around, she raised more than $6.5 million – three times more than her Republican opponent, who raised $2.1 million, according to media reports.

CNN projected the winner around 9:22 p.m. Eastern Time.

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The financial surge and nationwide anger over Trump administration policies triggered worry among Republicans on Capitol Hill over fears that Democrats could flip the House seat and complicate an already razor-thin GOP congressional majority.

Republicans now hold a 220-213 House majority.

Gaetz resigned from Congress and then withdrew his name from becoming President Donald Trump’s attorney general after sexual misconduct allegations and a looming ethics report sunk his nomination.

Trump celebrated Tuesday night, writing on Truth Social: "Jimmy Patronis WINS BIG! Congratulations Jimmy. DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT!"

In a second post, Trump boasted that Republicans won both elections in ruby-red Florida.

"BOTH FLORIDA HOUSE SEATS HAVE BEEN WON, BIG, BY THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE. THE TRUMP ENDORSEMENT, AS ALWAYS, PROVED FAR GREATER THAN THE DEMOCRATS FORCES OF EVIL. CONGRATULATIONS TO AMERICA!!!