Ten candidates are running in the Republican primary for a special election in Florida’s 1st Congressional District. The primary is on Jan. 28, 2025. The general election is on April 1, 2025. Two candidates—Jimmy Patronis (R) and Joel Rudman (R)—lead in media attention and endorsements. Aaron Dimmock (R), who ran in the 2024 Republican primary is also running in the special election.

The previous incumbent Rep. Matt Gaetz (R) resigned from Congress after President-elect Donald Trump (R) nominated him for attorney general. Gaetz later withdrew from consideration for the attorney general nomination.

ABC News’ Brittany Shepherd wrote, “It appears [Gaetz’] seat will be vacant for months — presenting a challenge for House Republicans who already maintain a slim majority in the incoming Congress.”

Then-Gov. Rick Scott (R) appointed Patronis chief financial officer in 2017. Patronis served in the Florida House from 2006 to 2014 and on the Florida Public Service Commission.

Patronis earned an associate degree in restaurant management from Gulf Coast Community College and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Florida State University. After he graduated, Patronis was appointed to the Florida Elections Commission. In a campaign ad, Patronis said, “When President Trump asked me to run for Congress, to go to Washington and fight for him, my answer was ‘Yes, sir.’” Five candidates in the race dropped out and endorsed Patronis.

Rudman represented the 3rd District in the Florida House from 2022 through 2024. His resignation from the state House to run in the special election was effective on January 1, 2025.

Rudman is a doctor. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1993 and his medical degree from the University of Mississippi in 1996. His slogan in his state House campaign was, “I didn’t go into politics. Politics went into medicine.” Rudman said, “I didn’t get a call from D.C. to run for this race. I got a call from the citizens who are sitting in this room to run for this race, and that’s why I’m here.”

At a candidate forum, Patronis said, “There’s nobody that will work harder than Jimmy because for the folks of Congressional District 1, I’ve got a heck of a work record of accomplishments, and I intend to take what I’ve been doing for the last 10 years for the entire state of Florida and make a difference in CD1.” Rudman said, “You don’t replace a firebrand with a wet rag. You replace a fighter with a fighter, and that’s me. I’m a fighter.”

Dimmock, who ran in the Republican primary, said at the time he believed voters were “ready for someone to come in, to move away from the chaos that was started by Matt in the Republican Party, in Congress. And they’re ready for an alternative option for change. Someone who’s going to represent them duly up on the Hill.” Click here to read more about the August 20, 2024, Republican primary.

Florida Politics’ Jacob Ogles wrote, “Dimmock walks into the race after spending almost $311,000 promoting himself to voters in CD 1, an advantage no other Republican running can claim.”

Seven other Republican candidates are also running: Kevin Gaffney, Jeff Macey, Greg Merk, John Mills, Jeff Peacock, Michael Thompson, and Gene Valentino.