Matt Gaetz's abrupt resignation from Congress has triggered a crowded primary battle for his solidly Republican seat in Florida's panhandle.
Whoever wins the primary is almost certain to replace Gaetz in the 1st District, which he represented from 2017 until last week. Gaetz stepped aside after President-elect Donald Trump nominated Gaetz for attorney general, in a shock to the D.C. establishment.
Gaetz became known as one of the most controversial members of Congress during his tenure.
He notoriously triggered the removal of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in a dramatic vote last year that alienated many Republicans.
McCarthy allies backed an unsuccessful primary challenge against Gaetz this summer, when Gaetz soundly defeated Aaron Dimmock, a retired naval officer who controversially ran for office in Florida while working as an employee for the state of Missouri.
During the August primary, allies of McCarthy poured millions into spreading allegations that Gaetz had sex with a 17-year-old girl. Those claims have taken center stage again after Gaetz's nomination to lead the Justice Department, which declined to charge Gaetz after an investigation.
Dimmock told The Hill that he is contemplating another run for Gaetz's now vacant seat.
“I am taking a serious look at it and have already received numerous calls from constituents imploring me to run,” he said.
Among the candidates already vying to replace Gaetz is Michelle Salzman, a fiery conservative and Florida state legislator from Escambia County.
"I am making my intentions to run for Congress by filing today I want to do what is best for our country and helping President Trump with the Make America Great Again Agenda! @realDonaldTrump,” she wrote on X.
Other candidates include John Frankman, a Green Beret who was forced out of the Army over the COVID vaccine mandate, and Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis.
Because Gaetz is no longer in Congress, he is not subject to the jurisdiction of the House Ethics committee, which had been investigating his alleged sexual misconduct and illegal drug use when he resigned.
The House Ethics Committee is meeting Wednesday to discuss the report, which has become a political football ahead of a potentially contentious confirmation hearing.
President-elect Trump has been whipping votes for Gaetz in the Senate, where he is supported by few Republicans.
