Tallahassee, Florida – With the upcoming special election to fill the vacant seat left by Representative Matt Gaetz, the political landscape in Florida is heating up. Former President Donald Trump recently backed Florida’s chief financial officer, Jimmy Patronis, as his successor to Gaetz in Congress. This move has ignited a fierce competition among other candidates vying for the opportunity to represent Florida’s 1st Congressional District.

One contender in the race is Michelle Salzman, but she recently dropped out following Trump’s endorsement of Patronis. Another strong candidate, Jeff Witt, a fighter pilot and decorated combat veteran, has announced his bid to fill Gaetz’s seat. Witt’s military background and experience bring a unique perspective to the campaign, which could appeal to voters in the district.

The special election, scheduled for April Fools’ Day, has drawn considerable attention as various candidates ramp up their campaigns. Trump’s involvement in endorsing Patronis has added a new dimension to the race, with many speculating on the impact of the former president’s support on the election outcome. The Florida House seat left vacant by Gaetz is highly coveted, and the competition is fierce among those seeking to fill it.

As the political landscape evolves in Florida, candidates are positioning themselves to appeal to voters in the district. Patronis, backed by Trump, has garnered significant attention, but contenders like Witt are also making strong cases for their candidacy. The upcoming special election is shaping up to be a closely watched race, with the outcome potentially having broader implications for the state and beyond.

With the race for Gaetz’s vacant seat in full swing, candidates are making their pitches to voters and putting forth their visions for the district. The presence of high-profile figures like Trump in the endorsement process adds an extra layer of intrigue to the campaign. As the special election date approaches, all eyes will be on Florida’s 1st Congressional District to see who will emerge victorious in the race to fill Gaetz’s seat.