Gaetz Triumphs in Florida House Race, Dealing Blow to McCarthy

In a decisive victory, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) secured his House seat against GOP challenger Aaron Dimmock, garnering 69.7% of the vote in a race called shortly after polls closed. This win marks a significant setback for former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who had invested heavily in efforts to unseat Gaetz and other Republicans who voted for his ousting last fall. Dimmock, a retired naval officer, received 30.3% of the votes, highlighting the challenges faced by McCarthy's allies in their campaign against Gaetz. McCarthy's attempts to retaliate against Gaetz have largely faltered, with only one of the targeted Republicans, Bob Good from Virginia, losing his primary. The Freedom Patriots PAC, linked to McCarthy's network, spent $3 million to support Dimmock and attack Gaetz over serious allegations, which Gaetz has vehemently denied. Despite being outspent nearly 4-to-1, Gaetz's strong name recognition and grassroots support in northern Florida propelled him to victory. While McCarthy's allies aimed to weaken Gaetz's political future, they reportedly anticipated Dimmock's loss. Gaetz has dismissed speculation about a gubernatorial run, focusing instead on his upcoming election against Democratic candidate Gay Valimont in November. The Cook Political Report classifies Gaetz's 1st Congressional District seat as "solid Republican," suggesting a favorable outlook for the incumbent.