Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz was able to defeat a primary challenge from retired Navy aviator Aaron Dimmock, despite efforts by former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to seek revenge on Republicans who voted for his ouster last year. The feud between McCarthy and Gaetz helped fuel a contentious campaign with over $5.2 million spent on advertising, making it one of the most expensive GOP House primaries of the year. Gaetz highlighted Dimmock’s past jobs and sought to paint him as a liberal in disguise, leading to a victory in the primary.
McCarthy’s efforts to seek revenge have had mixed results, with the defeat of Virginia Rep. Bob Good being a significant victory but falling short in other races. Gaetz’s victory in the Florida primary could potentially hinder his prospects for higher office in the state, with speculation that he may run for governor in 2026. The bad blood between Gaetz and McCarthy was evident at the Republican convention when Gaetz interrupted McCarthy’s interview, leading to a tense exchange between the two.
An anti-Gaetz outside group, Florida Patriots PAC, spent $3.5 million on the race, targeting Gaetz with attack ads while also boosting Dimmock. These ads referenced the ongoing ethics investigation into Gaetz regarding allegations of sexual misconduct. Gaetz spent about $1.5 million on his defense, highlighting his ties to former President Donald Trump and declaring himself a “Donald Trump Republican” in his campaign ads.
In the US Senate primaries, Florida Sen. Rick Scott and Democratic challenger Debbie Mucarsel-Powell emerged victorious, setting up a competitive race for a Republican-held seat. Democrats view Florida as a key opportunity to flip a Senate seat, with Scott facing relative unpopularity and a contentious abortion rights ballot initiative potentially aiding Democratic chances. While Florida has shifted right in recent years, Democrats are hopeful about their prospects in the upcoming Senate race.
Scott has won three statewide elections in Florida by narrow margins and has significantly outraised Mucarsel-Powell, who is targeting digital platforms with her campaign spending. Mucarsel-Powell has criticized Scott over his past proposals regarding federal programs and has highlighted the state’s recent abortion ban as an issue in the campaign. Scott, on the other hand, has sought to address Democratic criticisms on reproductive rights by sharing his family’s experience with in vitro fertilization in a campaign ad.
The Florida Senate race is expected to be closely watched as Democrats aim to flip a Republican-held seat in a state that has shifted right in recent years. With Scott’s narrow victories in previous elections and Mucarsel-Powell’s emphasis on key issues like reproductive rights, the race is likely to be competitive and crucial in the broader context of the battle for control of the Senate. Both candidates have focused on key policy issues and their own backgrounds to appeal to voters and secure victory in the upcoming election.
