House Republican leadership has endorsed Florida Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis in the Sunshine State's 1st Congressional District race.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), House Minority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) all support the candidate.
Patronis shared his support on social media and thanked House Republicans.
With President Trump's support, Florida's chief financial officer will run for Matt Gaetz's former seat.
Washington, DC, 2024, with Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (center), House Minority Leader Tom Emmer (left), and Representative Steve Scalise (R) speaking during a press conference at the Capitol on November 19. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Last month, President-elect Donald Trump encouraged Patronis to run and promised to support him.
“Jimmy Patronis has my full support if he decides to run in this race. Run, Jimmy, run!” President Trump declared in a post on Truth Social.
A special primary and general election will be held next year to fill the seat vacated last month by Matt Gaetz, who resigned from Congress after President Trump nominated him for attorney general.
Before Governor Ron DeSantis took to the stage, Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis gave an opening speech. (Tiffany Tompkins/Bradenton Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
Gaetz had just been re-elected before leaving office, but ultimately withdrew from consideration for a cabinet-level position.
But Gaetz is not the only Trump presidential candidate to decline.
Florida Sheriff Chad Chronister declines President Trump's candidacy to induce death
President-elect Donald Trump watches the UFC 309 event at Madison Square Garden in New York City on November 16, 2024. (Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister, who President Trump recently nominated to head the Drug Enforcement Administration, has recused himself from consideration for the job.
