TAMPA, Fla. — Florida's Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis announced he is considering running for the congressional seat up for grabs in the Panhandle.
Patronis, who was elected in 2017, posted on social media that he is "strongly considering" running for the seat.
"We've got a historic opportunity to fight the swamp, end lawfare and return power back into the hands of Americans," his X post read.
The seat was vacated last week by Rep. Matt Gaetz who was nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to be his attorney general.
Patronis was previously a member of the Florida House of Representatives for the sixth congressional district, which encompasses Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and portions of Walton counties. He holds an associate's degree in restaurant management and a bachelor's in political science. He was part of Florida's Election Commission before being a representative.
The district is very conservative with 66% of voters favoring Gaetz in the 2024 Election. So, a Republican is likely to fill the position.
Several other Florida politicians have also expressed their interest in running.
Republican Rep. Michelle Salzman of Pensacola said she would potentially run, according to an X post. Former U.S. Army Captain and Green Beret John Frankman also announced his candidacy through X.
Frankman served in the Army before he was forced out for refusing to take the COVID-19 vaccine. Earlier this year, Gaetz partnered with him to speak against the military's requirement for the vaccine.
Former U.S. Senate candidate Keith Gross also launched his campaign for the Panhandle seat. He challenged U.S. Sen. Rick Scott in the Republican primary but lost.
A Democrat also threw her name in the hat. Gay Valimont ran against Gaetz during the 2024 Election but only garnered 34% of the vote.
A special election will be held in the district to determine his replacement. Gov. Ron DeSantis posted on X that he has instructed Secretary of State Cord Byrd to "formulate and announce a schedule" for the upcoming special elections.
Also, Gaetz will have to pass the hurdle of being confirmed by the Senate. He has irritated fellow Republicans when he filed the resolution that ousted former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
Then McCarthy helped fund a primary challenge that included alleging Gaetz paid for sex with a 17-year-old, which Gaetz denied. The attorney general nominee was under investigation by the House Ethics Committee. The Justice Department ended its own sex trafficking investigation without bringing any charges against him and the investigation by the committee ended Wednesday when he resigned.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
