Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis announces congressional run with Trump's endorsement

In the United States, Jimmy Patronis, the Chief Financial Officer of Florida, is preparing to run for the vacant U.S. House seat in Florida's 1st Congressional District following the resignation of Matt Gaetz. Patronis has submitted his resignation, effective March 31, in a letter addressed to Governor Ron DeSantis and Secretary of State Cory Byrd, positioning himself as a candidate for the upcoming 2025 Special Election. Former Representative Matt Gaetz, who had previously won re-election, decided to resign after being considered for a role as attorney general. His subsequent withdrawal from that consideration allowed for the possibility of a new candidate stepping forward for the congressional seat. Notably, Patronis received a strong endorsement from former President Donald Trump, who urged him to enter the race and expressed full support for his campaign through a post on the platform Truth Social. This move reflects the ongoing political dynamics within the Republican Party and the strategies to maintain and strengthen their presence in Congress. With Trump's backing, Patronis is expected to have a significant advantage as he seeks to galvanize support among voters in the district.