Former state Rep. Joel Rudman said he knew a run for Congress was a long-shot. But he also felt within hours of being sworn into a legislative term that House leadership itched for a fight with Gov. Ron DeSantis, and he wanted no part in it.

President Donald Trump-endorsed candidates Jimmy Patronis and Randy Fine won their Republican primaries in the special elections to replace former Florida Reps. Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz, notching win

Patronis has the Trump endorsement, boasts the best name recognition in the district, and went into the stretch run of the Primary race best positioned financially, with almost $711,000 cash on hand as of Jan. 8. To put that in perspective, no other candidate in the crowded field had more than $33,000 for the stretch run.

Trump-endorsed candidates Jimmy Patronis and Randy Fine won the Republican primaries to replace former Florida Reps. Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz, signaling strong conservative holds on these districts.

President Donald Trump -endorsed candidates Jimmy Patronis and Randy Fine won ... He had been a key ally of Gov. Ron DeSantis before breaking with him over Fine's accusations the governor wasn ...

Both Republicans will now advance to the April 1 special election, where they are expected to be heavy favorites in the solid GOP districts.

Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis will be the Republican nominee in a Special Election to replace U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz. The Panama City Republican emerged as the top vote-getter in a 10-candidate field running in a Special Primary held Tuesday in Florida’s 1st Congressional District.

With the backing of President Donald Trump, state Sen. Randy Fine and state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis on Tuesday won special Republican primary elections for congressional seats.

Jimmy Patronis easily won the Republican special primary Tuesday in the race to replace Matt Gaetz in Congress.

Florida’s chief financial officer, Jimmy Patronis, won the Republican nomination Tuesday night to fill former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz’s vacant seat in Congress in the Panhandle. Across the state, in the 6th Congressional District,

Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis and state Senator Randy Fine vie against longshot Democratic candidates in April.