House Republican leaders have endorsed Florida Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis for election in the Sunshine State’s 1st Congressional District. The endorsements came from House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn.
Patronis shared the endorsements on social media, thanking each of the House GOP figures. President-elect Donald Trump also urged Patronis to run, pledging to endorse him in a Truth Social post. “Should he decide to enter this Race, Jimmy Patronis has my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, JIMMY, RUN!” Trump declared.
Patronis is running to fill the seat vacated by Matt Gaetz, who resigned from Congress after being nominated by Trump to serve as attorney general. Special primary and general elections will be held next year to fill the seat.
Gaetz withdrew himself from consideration for the Cabinet-level post, and another Trump nominee, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister, withdrew himself from consideration for the administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration.
