Twelve people are running to replace Matt Gaetz in Florida’s 1st Congressional District

©2024 The News Service of Florida

Ten Republicans, including Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, state Rep. Joel Rudman, R-Navarre, and former Escambia County Commissioner Gene Valentino will battle in a Jan. 28 special primary election as they seek to replace former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla.

With a qualifying period ending at noon Friday, one Democrat and one unaffiliated candidate also are in the race in Congressional District 1, a Republican stronghold made up of all or parts of Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties.

The special general election will be held April 1.

In addition to Patronis, Rudman and Valentino, the Republican field includes Aaron Dimmock of Pensacola, Kevin Gaffney of Freeport, Jeff Macey of Fort Walton Beach, Greg Merk of Pensacola, John Mills of Navarre, Jeff Peacock of Pace and Michael Dylan Thompson of Pensacola, according to the state Division of Elections website.

The winner of the GOP primary will face Democrat Gay Valimont and unaffiliated candidate Stephen Broden in the general election.

Gaetz resigned from the House in November after being picked by President-elect Donald Trump to become U.S. attorney general.

Gaetz later withdrew from consideration for the Justice Department post.

In an August primary election, Gaetz defeated Dimmock, who had been recruited to run by former U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.

Gaetz in 2023 led a coalition that spurred McCarthy’s removal as speaker.

Gaetz was re-elected last month in District 1 but quickly resigned after being tapped for attorney general.

Trump has endorsed Patronis in the special election.