Trump backs Patronis for Florida congressional seat
- Donald Trump endorsed Jimmy Patronis for the First Congressional District seat in Florida, which is currently unoccupied after Gaetz's resignation.
- Florida State Senator Randy Fine also received an endorsement for a different congressional seat, following major political shifts.
- These endorsements indicate Trump's continued influence over Florida's Republican politics and the upcoming elections.
In Florida, President-elect Donald Trump announced his endorsements on November 25, 2024, for two congressional seats that are set to become open due to recent political shifts. This action comes after Michael Waltz's appointment as Trump's national security adviser, prompting him to resign from Congress. In another development, Matt Gaetz, formerly a congressman, decided not to pursue the attorney general position, subsequently opening up his congressional seat. Trump publicly endorsed Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis to succeed Gaetz in the First Congressional District and also endorsed Florida State Senator Randy Fine for another seat. Patronis has held his current position since he was appointed in 2017, winning subsequent elections in 2018 and 2022. Patronis's potential resignation from his role would lead Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to name a successor, further emphasizing the ongoing changes in Florida's congressional landscape as the Republican Party seeks to maintain its electoral foothold.