GOP eyes its House majority in competitive special elections in Florida to replace Waltz, Gaetz

A pair of special elections in Florida for the House of US Representatives on Tuesday to fill vacancies left by the former Republican representatives. Mike Wals and Matt Garets have been heated in recent weeks – especially in the 6th neighborhood where Valtz serves.

Both legislators resigned to join the Trump administration, although GAC withdrew his nomination as Attorney General when it became clear that he did not have enough support in the Senate to be confirmed.

Before the election, the Republicans have 218 seats in the Chamber – a thin majority. GoP will stay on its majority, regardless of the results of the Florida election, but if they lose a place, it will make it difficult for the legislation, especially in measures in which every Republican does not vote with the party.

While Republicans will adhere to their majority, regardless of the results in Florida, the election comes against the background of the maintenance of this power – anxiety that fell into the public when President Donald Trump recently asked Elis Stephanik to withdraw from his nomination.

One of the Florida competitions is more than expected, with uncertainty among some Republicans whether their candidate in the 6th district, the state senator Randy Finn, can hold his seat safely in the republican hands, given that he lags far behind the democratic candidate, teacher and progressive Josh Wil.

Thus, while Republicans are preferred to win in every area, given that they were both Ruby-red in 2024, some speculate that margins between Republicans and Democrats in at least 6 district may be more stringent than expected.

Special elections usually have a lower turnout than cycle choices and turnout and results can be difficult to predict.

At the fund’s raising front, according to documents to the Federal Election Committee, FINE has raised or received about $ 987,000 from late November 2024 to mid -March until Weil has raised or received over $ 9 million from October 1, 2024 to mid -March. Fine also donated $ 600,000 to itself, according to later documents.

Weil’s campaign has spent more than $ 8 million on what it has raised according to the submission; Fine’s campaign had also spent much of her money by hand before his donations for herself.

But Trump’s strong approval has the strong approval.

Trump said on Thursday about a fine: “He will be there when I need him, and he wants to be there when we need him. He wants to be there for you.”

Fine expressed confidence. He told the ABC News Live anchor Diane Macedo on Monday: “We are doing great,” and later added: “What we see are angry Democrats and Republicans need to understand what is laid.”

Vale, who was approved by Senator Bernie Sanders, I-VT., Friday, told the ABC News Live Prime Linsey Davis on Monday night, “People want someone who will fight for them in Washington and we offer that.”

He said Sanders’ approval, which Fine had criticized, seemed to be an advantage when talking to the voters who evaluate the Senator’s message.

In the special election in the 1st area of ​​Florida, located in the westernmost part of Panhandle, the candidate for the Republican Jimmy Patrons, Florida Chief Financial Officer, faces the candidate for Democrats Gay Valimont, an activist for the prevention of weapons violence. Valimont was nominated for Democrats in 2024, losing from Gath with over 30 percentage points.

Trump also threw his support behind Patronis.

The president said at a telephone rally on Thursday, “Jimmy has done an exceptional job as Florida Chief Financial Officer, helping to direct your country to huge economic success. And now he wants to continue to fight for Florida in Congress and he will do so and will vote for social security protection, all these things … under the danger of demo.

Patronis, speaking after Trump, told the listeners, “Look, if you are not fired to hear the president right now, then you have to check your pulse with President Trump and the White House. A Republican majority in Congress we have once in a life opportunity to transform this country.”

In the meantime, Valimont raised more than the patron, according to the federal election committee, which show that Valimont raised about $ 6 million while Patronis raised about $ 2 million.

“In the congress, I will show in Florida’s first area what it looks like when the government really works for people and our needs,” Valimont wrote on Monday.

-ABC News’ John Parkinson, Lauren Peller and Hannah Demissie have contributed to this report.