What to Know About Florida’s Special Primary Elections

Trump-endorsed candidates face challengers within their own party in primaries in the seats vacated by Reps. Gaetz and Waltz.

Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis in April 2022. Courtesy of Jimmy Patronis

Florida voters, who recently represented in Washington by former Rep. Matt Gaetz and Rep. Michael Waltz, took the first step toward choosing their replacements by taking part in primary elections on Jan. 28.

First announced in November 2024, the primaries are being held in Florida’s first and sixth congressional districts, with only the voters of those districts able to cast a vote.