Trump's Cabinet picks set off political chain reaction in Florida congressional races
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The field of candidates has been set for two special elections in Florida to replace members of Congress nominated for positions in President-elect Donald Trump’s new administration. Two dozen candidates have filed to run for the seats of outgoing Republican Reps. Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz, though Trump has already weighed in on his preferred successors.
Trump's reliance on Florida lawmakers for his new Cabinet is setting off a political chain reaction that’s opening up new possibilities in the state in 2026 and beyond. Multiple sitting elected officials have filed to run for the congressional seats, including the state's chief financial officer Jimmy Patronis, triggering other vacancies and electoral opportunities.
Both GOP congressmen easily won reelection to their respective seats in November, Gaetz in a northwest Florida district known for its sugar-sand beaches and military installations, and Waltz in a stretch of the state south of Jacksonville that includes Daytona Beach.
The special elections to replace them aren't expected to change Republicans' slim majority in the House, but could trigger another shuffle among the state's political hopefuls eyeing a run for governor in 2026, as Gov. Ron DeSantis' second term winds down.
Patronis is among those who Republican insiders say are considering a bid for governor, and a term in Congress could help boost his profile. Trump recently voiced his support for Patronis in the race to replace Gaetz in Congressional District 1, though that didn't dissuade the 15 other candidates who qualified to run, even in a district where Trump is overwhelmingly popular.
“Jimmy Patronis has my Complete and Total Endorsement,” Trump posted on his social networking site Truth Social. “RUN, JIMMY, RUN!”
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