Despite a hefty multimillion-dollar campaign against him, House Republican Matt Gaetz has once again shown strong support from GOP voters in Florida’s 1st Congressional District. In the recent primary, he secured 72.5 percent of the vote, besting retired Naval officer Aaron Dimmock, who garnered 27.5 percent, as of 11 p.m. ET with most votes counted.
Gaetz’s popularity has grown since 2022, where he won the primary with 69.7 percent against two challengers. Notably, his primary competitors then, Mark Lombardo and Greg Merk, received 24.4 and 5.9 percent of the vote, respectively.
Over the past few months, Gaetz hasn’t shied away from criticizing former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who attempted to support Dimmock in this election battle. In a significant move, Gaetz successfully filed a motion to remove McCarthy as speaker last year, marking a historical moment in Congress.
McCarthy’s tenure as Speaker from January to October 2023 faced challenges, especially given the deeply divided GOP. Following a deal with Democrats on a temporary funding bill, Gaetz’s ensuing power move resulted in McCarthy’s removal—making headlines for the unprecedented nature of the event.
In an attempt to retaliate, McCarthy’s allies, including the Florida Patriots PAC, poured $3.5 million into the primary race against Gaetz, launching negative ads that aimed to undermine his character. However, Gaetz brushed off these attacks in a post-victory speech, pointing out the increase in his vote share compared to 2022.
Reflecting on his win, he said, “Kevin McCarthy spent $3 million in this race not attacking my votes or my work on your behalf, but simply trying to attack my character,” and challenged McCarthy to raise his spending for future races.
McCarthy’s conflict with Gaetz drew attention earlier this year when he referenced an ongoing ethics investigation into Gaetz’s alleged misconduct, including sexual misconduct and inappropriate use of funds. Gaetz has consistently denied these allegations.
During the recent Republican National Convention, tensions between Gaetz and McCarthy escalated, highlighting their fraught relationship. Notably, Gaetz faced extended scrutiny regarding a federal investigation into alleged sex-trafficking, though no charges were brought against him as of February 2023.
As the House Ethics Committee resumed its investigation into his past conduct, Gaetz dismissed the inquiries as “frivolous.” Looking ahead, he is set to compete against Democrat Gay Valimont in the upcoming general election.
Reflecting on his journey, Gaetz’s primary victories have evolved from his initial 35.7 percent win in a crowded 2016 field to his commanding performances in subsequent years, indicating a significant shift in support within his district.