Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced the dates for the special election to fill the vacant seat in the US House of Representatives previously held by former Rep. Matt Gaetz. The primary for this special election is scheduled to take place on January 28, with the general election following on April 1.
The reason for this special election stems from Gaetz's resignation from the House earlier this month. Gaetz stepped down after being selected by former President Trump to lead the Department of Justice and before the House Ethics Committee could release a report on its investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against him, which Gaetz has denied. Despite speculation about his potential return to Congress next year, Gaetz confirmed on Friday that he will not be seeking reelection.
The delay in filling Gaetz's seat until April has significant implications for the GOP majority in the House. House Speaker Mike Johnson had hoped to have the seat filled in time for the start of the next Congress in January. With the seat remaining vacant until April, Johnson's majority is further diminished, potentially impacting President-elect Donald Trump's legislative agenda for his first 100 days in office.
