Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis plans to run for U.S. Congress, according to a resignation letter circulating online.
In a letter to Sunshine State Governor Ron DeSantis and Florida Secretary of State Cory Byrd, Patronis wrote: “This letter confirms that I am resigning from my role as Chief Financial Officer of the State of Florida. I am announcing that I am a candidate in the 2025 special election for Florida's 1st Congressional District.
“As the CD1 primary election is currently scheduled for January 28, 2025 and the general election is scheduled for April 1, 2025, I hereby cancel the CFO as of March 31, 2025. I am resigning in a state of incompetence.”
Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis speaks before Gov. Ron DeSantis takes to the “Don't Tread on Florida” stage during his Florida tour in Sarasota. (Tiffany Tompkins/Bradenton Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
In a post on Truth Social on Monday, President-elect Donald Trump urged Patronis to run for Congress.
“I hear Jimmy is currently considering launching a Congressional campaign in Florida's 1st Congressional District!” Trump said in the post.
“Jimmy Patronis has my full support if he decides to enter this race. Run, Jimmy, run!” Trump declared.
Trump begins supporting successor to replenish House Republican majority as lead in Cabinet nominations shrinks
Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis (left) and President-elect Donald Trump. (Left: Octavio Jones/Getty Images, Right: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Patronis shared a screenshot of President Trump's post and wrote in a post to X: “President, let me get to work! @realDonaldTrump I'm here to serve.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to Patronis and the Florida Department of Financial Services, but has not yet received a response.
Former Congressman Matt Gaetz won re-election to Congress earlier this month, but resigned after President Trump nominated him to be attorney general.
Jimmy, Florida Chief Financial Officer, meets with first responders to the 12-story Champlain Towers South condominium collapse in Surfside during a conference in Miami Beach, Florida, July 1, 2021. President Joe Biden shakes hands with Mr. Patronis (July 1, 2021). (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)
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Gaetz later wrote in a post on X: “It is clear that my confirmation unfairly impedes the important work of the Trump/Vance transition. Washington has no time to waste on needlessly prolonging the transition.” He withdrew consideration for this role. Because of the scuffle that occurred, I am withdrawing my name from the list of candidates for attorney general. ”
