President-elect Donald Trump recently endorsed Jimmy Patronis for Florida’s 1st Congressional District in a post on Truth Social. Trump expressed his support for Patronis, should he decide to enter the race. The 1st Congressional District covers Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa counties, along with part of Walton County, and was previously held by Matt Gaetz.
Trump highlighted Patronis’ strong ties to Florida, noting that he is a fourth-generation Floridian and the owner of a seafood restaurant, emphasizing his deep personal connection to the state. Additionally, Trump positioned Patronis as a dedicated supporter of the “MAGA” movement.
In his post, Trump encouraged Patronis to run for the congressional seat, stating, “Run, Jimmy, Run!” Gaetz, who was first elected in 2016, resigned from the House earlier this month after being selected by Trump to lead the Department of Justice. Gaetz's resignation occurred before the House Ethics Committee could release a report on its investigation into him, which included allegations of sexual misconduct that Gaetz has denied.
Following his resignation, Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration for the Cabinet role and announced that he would not be returning to Congress. The endorsement of Jimmy Patronis by President-elect Donald Trump sets the stage for an interesting race in Florida’s 1st Congressional District.
