Republican Jimmy Patronis wins special election for Gaetz's Florida seat

Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis was has won the special election to replace former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) in the 1st Congressional District, defeating Democrat Gay Valimont, according to Decision Desk HQ.

The district is located along Florida’s western Panhandle. 

Patronis jumped into the race last November after President Trump publicly encouraged him to run for the seat. Following Trump’s endorsement, a number of announced candidates for the seat quickly dropped out of the race and backed Patronis.

The special election for the 1st District took place alongside the special election for the 6th Congressional District on the other side of Florida. Democrats overperformed in both districts in fundraising, with Valimont raising $6.5 million in the race. Patronis raised $2.1 million. Meanwhile, the Democratic National Committee announced it was investing in both districts last month. 

A Democratic win in the district would have amounted to a political earthquake of monumental proportions. The 1st Congressional District is arguably the most conservative district in the state. Trump won the district by 37 points while Gaetz defeated Valimont in the district by 32 points.