DeSantis Calls for Special Elections After Trump Picks 3 Florida Lawmakers for Cabinet

The last time Florida held a special election to fill a House seat was in 2021, after the death of Democrat Alcee Hastings of House District 20.

(Left) President-elect Donald Trump visits the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, on Nov. 13, 2024, and (Right) Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) speaks at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on July 17, 2024. Saul Loeb and Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/ AFP

Florida’s Gov. Ron DeSantis has asked Secretary of State Cord Byrd to start preparing for special elections after President-elect Donald Trump picked three Florida lawmakers to serve in his Cabinet.

“Congratulations to the Floridians being appointed to key positions in the Trump Administration: Senator Marco Rubio, Congressman Matt Gaetz, and Congressman Mike Waltz,” DeSantis posted on social media platform X. “I’ve instructed Secretary of State Cord Byrd to formulate and announce a schedule for the upcoming special elections immediately.”