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.

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.

A dispute between Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Republican leaders of the Legislature over conflicting views of an immigration crackdown escalated Monday after the governor labeled as “bizarre” lawmakers’ proposal to strip him of immigration enforcement powers.

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.

Two Trump-endorsed candidates won Republican primaries for special House elections in Florida on Tuesday night.

Polls will open at 7 a.m. Tuesday in Escambia, Okaloosa and Santa Rosa Counties for the special primary election. Ten Republican candidates are on the ballot to fill the vacant Florida District 1 seat in Congress formerly held by Matt Gaetz.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody was named Thursday by Gov. Ron DeSantis to replace U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, who is in line to become

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

The wins put MAGA loyalists Jimmy Patronis and Randy Fine on glide paths to Congress when they take on little-known Democratic opponents in special general elections on April 1.

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.

The power of President Donald Trump’s endorsement will face the first tests of his second term Tuesday in a pair of special primary elections in Florida.