Republicans Win Special House Elections, Expanding Slim Majority
Republican candidates won both special House elections in Florida on Tuesday night, expanding the party’s slim majority in the lower chamber.
According to The New York Times, Republican Jimmy Patronis is projected to defeat Democrat Gay Valimont in the Sunshine State’s 1st Congressional District. Located in the Florida Panhandle, the district’s residents overwhelmingly supported President Donald Trump over former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.
The seat was left open following the resignation of former Rep. Matt Gaetz, who stepped down after being nominated by Trump to serve as attorney general. Gaetz ultimately withdrew his nomination to the position after facing resistance from several GOP senators reportedly opposed to his confirmation.
The GOP is also projected to win the race for the House seat vacated by Mike Waltz, who resigned to serve as Trump’s national security advisor. With more than 95 percent of votes tabulated as of publication, Republican state Sen. Randy Fine is projected to defeat Democrat Josh Weil in the battle for Florida’s 6th Congressional District.
Fine’s seemingly lackluster candidacy and Weil’s significant fundraising advantage prompted reported concerns within conservative circles ahead of Tuesday’s race that the election in CD-6 could be closer than originally anticipated. (Read more from “Republicans Win Special House Elections, Expanding Slim Majority” HERE)
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