Gay valimont vs patronis

Voters in Florida’s 1st Congressional District will chief 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.

RELATED: Here are details on the District 3 Florida Home primary

With the Department of Government Efficiency's budget cuts to services at the Department of Veterans Affairs emerging as a key issue a

Former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz had little trouble in the First Congressional District in General Elections.

But that was then, this is now.

Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis is sounding the alarm about his Special Election that wraps up Tuesday, portraying dynamics that have turned a seat seen as safe Republican into a jump ball headed into April 1 and the counting of the votes.

“I’ve never been outspent in a race before. They’re out spending me seven to one. dollars are coming in from all over the country and it’s crazy. My opponent has so much money,” Patronis said on Saturday’s “Fox and Friends Weekend.”

Indeed, Democrat Gay Valimont (who Gaetz defeated handily in November) has brought in more than $6 million to the Panhandle seat.

That’s four times what Patronis raised.

And she’s using the capital to target Republican voters in a way that usually doesn’t happen, the candidate laments.

“She’s even pursuing Republican potential voters depicting herself as being tough on China, standing up for Social Security … helping people with their gun rights. They’ve got so much money

Florida special election live results: Jimmy Patronis v. Lgbtq+ Valimont, District 1

Florida voters will head to the polls on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, to stuff two congressional seats: District 1 and District 6, part of a exceptional election.

Polls opened at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. local period. As soon as polls close, results are expected shortly. Portions of Florida's Panhandle are in Main Time, which means polls do not close until 7 p.m CST (8 p.m. EDT).

Looking for Florida Congressional District 6 results? Click here.

Florida election results: Gay Valimont vs. Jimmy Patronis

Who will fill former Rep. Matt Gaetz's Congressional seat? The race is largely between Florida Leader Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis and Gay Valimont, a Florida mom, gun rights advocate, and chapter direct of Moms Demand Behavior for Gunsense in America.

Gaetz resigned from Congress as he was in the running to serve as Attorney General under President Donald Trump. Gaetz ultimately withdrew from consideration after he did not acquire enough votes to endorse him in the U.S. Senate, and under the guise of a looming House Ethics Committee announce alleging he used drugs and paid for sex. He then decli

Republican Jimmy Patronis wins Florida's 1st congressional district race, defeating Democrat Gay Valimont

ORLANDO, Fla. - Republican Jimmy Patronis won a unique election Tuesday in Florida’s 1st Congressional District, securing a seat in the reliably Republican Panhandle with the backing of former President Donald Trump. 

What we know:

Republican Jimmy Patronis, Florida’s chief financial officer, beaten Democrat Gay Valimont despite being significantly outspent. The seat became vacant after former Rep. Matt Gaetz, initially selected as Trump’s attorney general, withdrew from consideration amid sexual misconduct allegations, which he has denied.

In Florida’s 6th Congressional District, Republican state Sen. Randy Fine also secured victory against Democrat Josh Weil, though by a much smaller margin than expected. The district, historically a Republican stronghold, saw an unusually competitive race fueled by heavy Democratic spending and voter enthusiasm.

What we don't know:

While Patronis and Fine both emerged victorious, questions remain about whether the narrowing margins in these races demonstrate a broader political switch. It is unclear

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