Republican Jimmy Patronis emerged victorious in the special election for Florida's First Congressional District, defeating Democratic contender Gay Valimont. Patronis, who previously served as Florida's Chief Financial Officer under Governor Ron DeSantis, will now assume the congressional seat formerly held by Matt Gaetz.

Gaetz vacated the seat last year to launch a short-lived campaign to become U.S. President Donald Trump's attorney general. His resignation opened the door for a fiercely contested race that culminated in Patronis’s decisive win.

The Republican Party also secured another House seat in Florida during the same election night, marking a strong showing for the party. President Trump, who endorsed both GOP candidates, took to Truth Social to celebrate the outcomes.

"BOTH FLORIDA HOUSE SEATS HAVE BEEN WON, BIG, BY THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE. THE TRUMP ENDORSEMENT, AS ALWAYS, PROVED FAR GREATER THAN THE DEMOCRATS FORCES OF EVIL. CONGRATULATIONS TO AMERICA," Trump posted, emphasizing the impact of his political support.

The election marks an important milestone in President Trump’s second term as it represents part of the first major election night since his re-election. With Patronis now joining Congress, the Republican Party strengthens its representation and influence in the state and federal legislative process.

Observers note that Patronis’s experience in state finance and governance is likely to shape his legislative priorities in Washington, particularly in matters of economic policy, fiscal accountability, and state-federal relations.

The dual victories also reinforce the continued resonance of Trump’s influence within the Republican base, particularly in Florida—a key battleground in both state and national politics.