Gay Valimont has made significant strides in Florida’s Escambia County, an area that heavily supported President Donald Trump in the 2024 election.
Valimont, a Democratic candidate, faced defeat in the special election for Florida’s 1st Congressional District on Tuesday night against the Trump-backed Republican candidate, Jimmy Patronis.
However, in Escambia County, Valimont is leading Patronis by 3 points, with over 95 percent of the votes reported. During the 2024 presidential election, Trump secured Escambia with a 19-point lead amidst higher voter turnout.
Significance
Even though both Democratic candidates were unsuccessful in their special elections in Florida on Tuesday, the party believes that improving in strong Republican areas could indicate their potential to regain control of the House in the 2026 midterms.
Kate Payne/AP photo
Key Details
Patronis, who serves as Florida’s chief financial officer, bested Valimont in the special election for the state’s 1st District with a vote tally of 59 percent to 42.
This seat was previously occupied by Matt Gaetz, the former Florida representative who stepped down after being nominated by Trump for attorney general. Gaetz had defeated Valimont by a hefty margin of 30 points in the November 2024 election, while Trump won the district with 68 percent of the vote.
Patronis secured victories in three of the four counties constituting the 1st district, but Valimont notably reduced the Republican margins that previous GOP candidates enjoyed.
Additionally, Valimont successfully flipped Escambia County, winning it with 51 percent compared to Patronis’s 48.
In the lead-up to Tuesday’s election, Valimont’s campaign significantly surpassed Patronis in fundraising, pulling in nearly $6.4 million from January 9 to March 12, well over the Republican’s $1.1 million during that same timeframe.
During his victory speech, Patronis remarked that Tuesday’s outcome illustrates that $6 million cannot “overcome one simple post on social media by Donald Trump,” referencing his endorsement from the former president.
In another election on Tuesday, Republican State Senator Randy Fine triumphed over Democrat Josh Weil in a special election for Florida’s 6th district, another area of GOP strength.
This seat was previously held by Michael Waltz, who resigned to take on the role of Trump’s national security adviser. Waltz won his reelection bid in November 2024 by 33 points, and Trump had a 30-point advantage over then-Vice President Kamala Harris in the district.
Fine’s victory margin was also significantly slimmed from prior results, as the Republican secured a win at 56 percent to 42.
Reactions
Gay Valimont in a statement on Tuesday: “Today marks the conclusion of a campaign centered on the idea that every voice matters. While the results are not what we had anticipated, I take pride in the journey and the discussions I’ve had over the last 20 months.”
“While this is a tough outcome, it is part of how we instigate change. Change requires time. My opponent will now need to represent the voices in this district after failing to campaign or present any substantive policy proposals. I will be attending his first town hall to learn about his plans for Florida’s First.”
Jimmy Patronis in his victory address: “CD-1 is the graveyard of the Democratic Party’s aspirations. Let this election serve as a reminder that the Florida Panhandle will remain solidly red and will always be Trump country, and that even their $6 million cannot compete with a simple social media endorsement by Donald Trump.”
Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin stated: “Valimont has made essential inroads into this staunchly Republican district, demonstrating to Republicans that, even in a region Trump won by nearly 40 points, this seat cannot be taken for granted. I applaud Gay Valimont for her leadership and for daring to run in such a challenging district. The momentum is undoubtedly on our side; Democrats have excelled in 15 out of 16 special elections this year. We are poised to continue winning races and ultimately reclaim the House next year.”
President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social: “BOTH FLORIDA HOUSE SEATS HAVE BEEN WON, BIG, BY THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE. THE TRUMP ENDORSEMENT, AS ALWAYS, DEMONSTRATED ITS SUPERIORITY OVER THE DEMOCRATS’ FORCES OF EVIL. CONGRATULATIONS TO AMERICA!!!”
Next Steps
Patronis and Fine will be sworn into office, expanding the GOP’s majority in the House to 220 to 213.
