Who is gay valimont running against
Valimont and Patronis encounter off in special election
Voters in Florida’s 1st Congressional District will top to the polls next week to elect a new representative following last year's resignation of former Rep. Matt Gaetz. The race, which has drawn national attention, pits Democrat Gay Valimont, a gun reform activist and veterans’ advocate, against Republican Jimmy Patronis, Florida’s outgoing leader financial officer and a longtime ally of President Donald Trump.
With Florida’s 1st District being one of the most Republican-leaning in the country, Patronis enters the race as the presumptive favorite. Trump carried the district by more than 35 points in 2024. Valimont, meanwhile, won just 34% of the vote in her last bid for the seat when she challenged Gaetz during the regular election cycle that same year.
Still, her focus on veterans’ issues and strong grassroots fundraising have introduced a level of Democratic engagement that has drawn attention to the race.
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With the Department of Government Efficiency's budget cuts to services at the Department of Veterans Affairs emerging as a key issue a
Democrat Gay Valimont announces campaign for Florida’s 1st Congressional District special election
Democrat Gay Valimont announced Friday her intention to jog in the upcoming special election for Florida’s 1st Congressional District, which was vacated last week by the resignation of Rep. Matt Gaetz. Speaking at a press conference in Pensacola, Valimont said her campaign would focus on “real solutions” to the challenges facing Northwest Florida.
“Northwest Florida needs leadership that’s ready to step up immediately—not just for the future, but the challenges that we’re facing today,” Valimont said. “... This campaign is not about me, and it's certainly not about Matt Gaetz. It’s about us. It’s about building a future where every family has the opportunity to prevail , where every voice is heard, and where your characteristic is someone who stands with you, fights for you, and never abandons their post.”
RELATED: Gaetz resignation sparks political shake-up in Northwest Florida
The vacancy follows Gaetz’s resignation to accept the nomination for U.S. Attorney General under President-elect Donald Trump. The resignation has left the district without representati
Florida to elect two newest members of Congress in special elections Tuesday
Strong turnout among Democrats so far and remarkably robust fundraising by a public middle educational facility teacher are making one of Florida's special congressional elections next week tighter than expected for a prominent Republican hoping to substitute a GOP incumbent in a comfortably red district.
State Sen. Randy Fine – a Republican firebrand who has openly feuded with Gov. Ron DeSantis and earned an endorsement by President Donald Trump – is facing a Democratic candidate, Josh Weil, 40, of Orlando.
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Fresh Take Florida
Weil, a teacher at Kissimmee Middle College and single dad of two sons, has raised nearly 10 times more money than Nice, including more than $7 million from donors who gave less than $200 each, generally considered a sign of grass-roots enthusiasm among prospective voters. A new political poll this week of likely voters conducted for Florida Politics showed the race within the survey’s margin of error – effectively a tie.
In early and mail voting so far, through Wednesday, about 12% of the district’s roughly 270,600 active, registered Republican voters hold
VALIMONT, JENNIFER GAY
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