Republican Jimmy Patronis Wins Florida Congressional Race; Democrat Carries Escambia
April 2, 2025
Republican Jimmy Patronis defeated Democrat Gay Valimont in Tuesday’s special election to succeed U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz to keep Florida’s 1st Congressional District in Republican hands.
Patronis, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump, received 57% of the vote to 42% for Valimont. Stephen Brody, no-party candidate, received about 1% of the vote.
Valimont, however, was the top vote getter in Escambia County with 51.10% of the vote to 48.06% for Patronis.
“Thank you, Northwest Florida. Not all districts are built the same — the Panhandle is a force of its own,” Patronis said Tuesday night during his victory speech. “I’m going to Washington to help President Trump battle against all this far left insanity, to buttress his strong moves to return common sense to America, to pull our country out of the ditch. I like to think that when President Trump says Make America Great Again, he’s thinking about us. I am humbled by all of the support in this race. I’m no better than anyone else and I will do everything I can to represent this district.”
Last November, Valimont lost to Gaetz with 36 points as the district favorite Trump by 38 points.
Patronis has served for a nearly a decade as Florida’ Chief Financial Officer, but he was forced to resign as of Monday to run for Congress.
Escambia County Had ‘Temporary Ballot Shortages’ During Tuesday’s Congressional Special Election
April 2, 2025
Some of the polling locations in Escambia County experienced “temporary ballot shortages” due Tuesday’s Florida 1st Congressional District special election.
Just before precinct closed, the Supervisor of Elections Office sent an email to the media and posted a notice that “some precinct locations in Escambia County have experienced temporary ballot shortages.” due to unprecedented turnout. SOE Robert Bender assured voters that every voter in line before 7 p.m. would be able to cast their ballot, and that every ballot would be counted.
“Some precinct locations in Escambia County have experienced temporary ballot shortages.
“We are excited to see such an unprecedented voter turnout in this election, as we always encourage everyone to exercise their right to vote,” Bender said Tuesday just before polls closed. “I’d like to assure voters that anyone in line by 7 p.m. will be able to cast their ballot.”
Just over 32,000 ballots were cast in-person at polling locations in Escambia County on Tuesday.