ORMOND BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Republicans Jimmy Patronis and Randy Positive gained particular elections Tuesday in two Florida congressional districts, bolstered by President Donald Trump’s endorsement to fill vacant seats in reliably Republican strongholds.
Patronis, the state’s chief monetary officer, fended off a problem from Democrat Homosexual Valimont though she far outraised and outspent him. He’ll fill the northwest Florida 1st District seat vacated by former Rep. Matt Gaetz, who was chosen to be Trump’s legal professional normal however withdrew from consideration amid allegations of sexual misconduct, which he has denied.
In north Florida’s sixth District, Positive gained towards Democratic challenger Josh Weil for a seat vacated by Mike Waltz when he was tapped to turn into Trump’s nationwide safety adviser.
The win bolsters Republicans’ margin to 220-213 within the Home of Representatives.
Particular elections are sometimes low-turnout occasions that may result in stunning outcomes. Whereas GOP wins had been broadly anticipated in each districts — two of essentially the most closely Republican within the nation — it’s notable that Democrats narrowed the margins significantly from November.
The races had been among the many first electoral exams of Trump’s new administration. The narrowing margins could sign a shift in public sentiment, pushed by unusually sturdy enthusiasm as Democrats from throughout the nation poured tens of millions into the races. The opposition occasion hoped that backlash to the president’s overhaul of federal businesses and firing of federal employees would carve into the GOP’s margins on the polls.
Trump takes credit score for the wins
Trump congratulated each candidates late Tuesday and mentioned his endorsement helped them safe a victory.
“THE TRUMP ENDORSEMENT, AS ALWAYS, PROVED FAR GREATER THAN THE DEMOCRATS FORCES OF EVIL. CONGRATULATIONS TO AMERICA!” he mentioned on his Fact Social platform.
At a waterfront restaurant in Pensacola, congratulatory textual content messages had been already lighting up Patronis’ cellphone as early outcomes had been posted Tuesday night time. Patronis labored the gang of about 100 folks, shaking palms and giving hugs, his spouse Katie and two sons in tow.
“Let it’s identified that this election is a reminder the Florida Panhandle will endlessly be crimson, and it’ll endlessly be Trump nation,” Patronis advised his supporters. “And even their $6 million couldn’t overcome one easy publish on social media by Donald Trump.”
Positive spoke to about 100 supporters on the 2A Ranch Saloon in Ormond Seaside, a barn-like constructing adorned with Trump decor, together with cardboard cutouts of the president and a photograph signed by first woman Melania Trump. Above Positive, a glowing “Trump continues to be my president” signal hung from the overhead balcony.
After the speech, Positive downplayed the narrowing margin, saying it was within the double digits and in a particular election.
“I believe it’s exhausting to say that’s an underperformance,” Positive mentioned.
Weil mentioned in an announcement that the “race was nearer than anybody ever imagined.”
“This outcome can also be a warning signal to Donald Trump, Randy Positive, and the unelected oligarchs taking aside the federal government,” Weil mentioned.
What do the outcomes present?
Republicans in each districts are on monitor to win with narrower margins than their predecessors in each county. Additionally they are on monitor to path Trump’s 2024 share of the vote within the two congressional districts.
Within the sixth Congressional District, Trump obtained roughly 65% of the vote in 2024, simply behind the 67% Waltz obtained in his closing Home reelection bid. In Tuesday’s particular election, Positive was underperforming Waltz by about 10 share factors.
In Volusia County, Trump obtained 58% and Waltz obtained about 60% in 2024, whereas Positive was hovering across the 50% mark with almost all of the votes reported.
Positive, a self-described “conservative firebrand,” had confronted rising stress throughout the race’s closing days as some Republicans publicly criticized his marketing campaign and fundraising efforts, questioning whether or not this race would embarrass Republicans lower than 100 days into Trump’s administration. Weil’s marketing campaign raised an eye-popping $9 million in comparison with Positive’s $1 million.
Nationwide Democratic leaders attributed Weil’s fundraising success to what they characterised as widespread outrage towards Trump. That outrage did not materialize in massive sufficient numbers to overturn the end result, foiling Democrats’ hope to tug off an enormous upset that might have buoyed their occasion.
The Democratic Nationwide Committee’s chair, Ken Martin, mentioned the outcomes confirmed “Democrats overperformed.” The Nationwide Republican Congressional Committee mentioned the victories despatched a message that “People are fired as much as elect leaders who will struggle for President Trump’s agenda and reject the Democrats’ failed insurance policies,” spokesperson Mike Marinella mentioned.
What did voters say?
Carol Vyhonsky, who drove to Positive’s election occasion from her dwelling in Brevard County with a bunch of her pals, mentioned she had no points with Positive’s victory not being as sturdy as his predecessor’s was final yr.
“The polling was trying slightly iffy there for some time, however he pulled by means of,” Vyhonsky mentioned. “So long as he gained, that’s the vital factor.”
Retired nurse Brenda Ray and her husband, Vietnam Struggle veteran Mike Ray, made it to the polls to help Patronis earlier within the day. Brenda Ray mentioned she didn’t know quite a bit about him however supported him as a result of she believes he’ll “vote with our president.”
“That’s all we’re searching for,” she mentioned.
Who’re Positive and Patronis?
Positive was first elected to the Florida Home in 2016 and ran annually as a consultant till 2024 when he efficiently gained his election to the Florida Senate. He’s identified for his help of Israel and his efforts to limit LGBTQ+ rights.
Patronis’ household based the well-known Panama Metropolis restaurant Capt. Anderson’s, situated alongside the Gulf of Mexico. He has been concerned in Florida politics since he was in school, interning within the Florida Senate earlier than being elected to the Florida Home of Representatives in 2006. He was appointed by then-Gov. Rick Scott to turn into the state’s CFO in 2017 and gained races to maintain the Cupboard-level workplace in 2018 and 2022.
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Kate Payne is a corps member for The Related Press/Report for America Statehouse Information Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit nationwide service program that locations journalists in native newsrooms to report on undercovered points.
___ Payne reported from Pensacola. Gomez Licon reported from Fort Lauderdale.
