A special election was held to determine the successor to Matt Gaetz's Florida House seat. (AP | Reuters)
Trump voiced his support for Patronis on Tuesday morning, urging people to vote.
"Jimmy Patronis, Chief Financial Officer and Fire Marshall for the Great State of Florida, is running an incredible Campaign for Congress in Florida’s 1st Congressional District!" Trump wrote on Truth Social.
"A fourth generation Floridian from the beautiful Panhandle, and owner of an iconic seafood restaurant, Jimmy has been a wonderful friend to me, and to MAGA. As your next Congressman, Jimmy will fight hard alongside of me to Grow our Economy, Cut Taxes, Secure our Border, Stop Migrant Crime, Strengthen our Brave Military/Vets, Restore American Energy DOMINANCE, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment."
'BLINDSIDED': HOW STEFANIK'S TRUMP NOMINATION AS UN AMBASSADOR IMPLODED
Florida had two special elections on Tuesday. (Getty Images)
Her fundraising topped the Republican's by a nearly five-to-one margin.
Gaetz resigned from the House of Representatives last year after Trump revealed his plan to nominate him to be attorney general. However, it became clear that the controversial House Republican had an uphill battle to get support from GOP senators.
JOSH HAWLEY BELIEVES HIS BILL CAN STOP 'RESISTANCE' JUDGES FROM 'PROVOKING A CRISIS'
Gaetz resigned in November 2024. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Just days after Trump's announcement, and after a number of meetings in the Senate, Gaetz officially withdrew from consideration.
Pam Bondi was then nominated by Trump for the role and ultimately confirmed as attorney general.
Julia Johnson is a politics writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business, leading coverage of the U.S. Senate. She was previously a politics reporter at the Washington Examiner.
Follow Julia's reporting on X at @JuliaaJohnson_ and send tips to Julia.Johnson@fox.com.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/former-desantis-official-defeats-dem-matt-gaetzs-house-seat