Navarre, Florida – The rush to fill former Congressman Matt Gaetz’s seat is in full swing. Eight Republicans gunning for the job met in Navarre on December 9, 2024, for what will most likely be the only debate in a lightning-fast election.
Governor Ron DeSantis, through executive order, issued a special primary election to be held on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, and the special general election on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. The race is being expedited as quickly as the law allows. “At Governor Ron DeSantis’ direction, this special election is being conducted as quickly as statutorily possible,” Florida’s Secretary of State Cord Byrd said in a press release. “We are committed to ensuring this election is held as soon as we are allowed to hold it by state law.”
With swiftness comes conflict, as President-elect Trump offered an advanced endorsement for Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis before he threw his hat in the ring. “Should he decide to enter this Race, Jimmy Patronis has my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, JIMMY, RUN!” Trump said in a TRUTH Social post on November 25.
Matt Gaetz and House Speaker Mike Johnson also endorsed Patronis.
Patronis, who does not currently live in Florida’s first congressional district, called into the debate, offering an explanation: “My wife and I were signing leases yesterday…My current residence, a lot of people have asked, is fourteen miles outside of the district. We are signing a lease in the district.”
The moderator asked Patronis if he could stay for the debate plus a questions and answers segment. He communicated that he would stay as long as possible but dropped off the call before anyone could engage with him.
The eight candidates in attendance for the debate were Aaron Dimmock, Kevin J. Gaffney, Greg Merk, John Mills, Jeff Peacock, Dr. Joel Rudman, Michael Dylan Thompson, and Gene Valentino.
The Liberty Sentinel was on the ground reporting at the event and recorded the debate, which can be found below alongside an interview with Dr. Joel Rudman.
Get the US out of the UN
Get the UN out of the US.