TAMPA, Fla. — State Sen. Randy Fine announced he will run for the vacant seat in Congress after Rep. Michael Waltz was tapped to be in President-elect Donald Trump's cabinet.
The Brevard County Republican made the announcement on "Fox & Friends" on Tuesday morning that he will be running for the seat representing the Daytona Beach area. Waltz, who has served in Congress since 2018, was nominated by Trump to be the next national security adviser.
Just three days ago, Trump endorsed Fine and encouraged him to run on Truth Social.
"A Harvard Educated, Successful Businessman, and Highly Respected State Legislator, Randy has been an incredible Voice for MAGA, and the Great People of Florida," he posted.
After Fine's appearance on Fox, he posted on X saying he would fight to make the country wealthy, safe and stand up for Israel.
The state senator has served eight years in the Florida House and he was just elected to the Florida Senate on Election Day. He will have to resign from his position to run, but his resignation does not have to take effect immediately.
The new seat he is running for is in the sixth congressional district, which is historically a Republican district. Waltz won the seat with more than 66% of the vote in this year's general election and won with over 75% of the vote in 2022, according to Ballotpedia. It encompasses Flagler and Putnam counties and parts of Volusia, St. Johns, Marion and Lake counties.
Other potential candidates in the race include former Marion County School Board member Don Browning, former Flagler County Commissioner Joe Mullins and Waltz's district director Ernest Audino.
A special election will be held to fill Waltz's seat with the primary being Jan. 28 and the general set for April 1.
