Ron DeSantis Announces Special Election to Replace Former Rep. Matt Gaetz

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that a special election will be held to fill Rep. Matt Gaetz's recently vacated seat.

In an effort to fill Florida’s 1st Congressional District, a primary will be held on Jan. 28, and the general election will take place on April 1.

This timeframe gives potential candidates roughly two months to throw a campaign together and make their case to voters for why they should be Florida's next congressperson.

Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd issued a statement explaining, "At Governor Ron DeSantis’ direction, this Special Election is being conducted as quickly as statutorily possible. We are committed to ensuring this election is held as soon as we are allowed to hold it by state law.”

As Republicans don't have a particularly large majority in the House, filling Gaetz's seat as soon as possible will be crucial for implementing President-elect Donald Trump's agenda.

Filling Crucial Seat

For the GOP, election season is far from over thanks to this special election, even though Gaetz's seat is not seen as competitive for Democrats.

Gaetz's district has not voted for a Democrat in the presidential election in this century, and the seat has been dominated by Republicans since 1995, when Democrat Earle Hutto ended his 16-year stint in Congress.

This election cycle, Gaetz handily defeated his Democratic Party opponent by over 130,000 votes, which means that the Republican who prevails in January's primary will be virtually assured a place in Congress.

A litany of Republicans has already voiced interest in running to replace Gaetz, with state Rep. Michelle Salzman and Joel Rudman already confirming they will be running for Gaetz's seat.

Other Florida figures are looking into running for the seat, meaning that the primary could be crowded and competitive.

As it stands, the Republican Party holds the U.S. House of Representatives with a 219 to 213 majority allowing members some leeway in passing legislation.

Trump's Revolutionary Agenda

Trump has promised revolutionary changes and will need Republicans in the House and Senate to back his agenda.

If Democrats held either chamber of Congress, it would allow them to block Trump's agenda, which would have completely kneecapped his stunning victory over Vice President Kamala Harris.

Trump wants to enact major immigration reforms as well as significant economic changes, all of which will require help from Congress.

Gaetz was supposed to be a part of Trump's revolutionary agenda and still may have some role to play in his administration, but he won't be working as Trump's AG, nor will he remain in Congress.