Representative Matt Gaetz, who played a leading role in the removal of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, successfully defeated his primary opponent Aaron Dimmock in Florida on Tuesday. In another notable primary victory, Senator Rick Scott, a former governor of Florida, also came out on top. According to CBS News correspondent Nikole Killion, with approximately 72% of the votes counted, Gaetz secured 71% against Dimmock’s 28%.
Gaetz remarked in an interview with CBS News, “Kevin McCarthy was motivated by revenge and pettiness and I think some very destructive soul searching. I’m on my way to the 119th Congress, and he’s on his way to whatever the next stage of grief is.” In a social media statement, Dimmock expressed disappointment with the outcome, noting that competing as a first-time candidate against an established politician is challenging.
Last year, McCarthy made history as the first House Speaker to be ousted through a House vote, a result of Gaetz’s motion to vacate. Despite opposition from only eight Republicans and the united front of Democrats, McCarthy’s leadership faced criticism for his handling of a potential government shutdown. After a protracted leadership battle within the GOP, McCarthy stepped down from his position.
The rivalry between McCarthy and Gaetz continues even after McCarthy’s ouster. Gaetz is aiming to maintain his seat representing Florida’s 1st Congressional District in the panhandle, with this primary being one of several challenges associated with the fallout from McCarthy’s removal.
Gaetz noted, “Kevin McCarthy’s PACs spent over $3 million trying to defeat me, and they were unsuccessful. So it shows the limits of the corrupt big money in Washington in a place like Northwest Florida where there’s a strong connection between me and my voters.”
Earlier this year, Representative Bob Good, who supported Gaetz in ousting McCarthy, narrowly lost his primary to a candidate backed by McCarthy. Meanwhile, some other representatives who voted against McCarthy have either faced challenges or opted out of seeking reelection.
Gaetz’s primary victory marks the conclusion of McCarthy’s so-called revenge efforts against him. These included an advertising campaign from a McCarthy-affiliated group, which featured allegations against Gaetz, including claims of paying a minor for sex. The Justice Department previously opted not to charge Gaetz following an investigation into alleged sex trafficking, and he has denied all allegations. However, the House Ethics Committee has indicated that some claims against him warrant further investigation.
McCarthy has suggested that Gaetz’s motivations for his actions stem from personal grievances, particularly with regard to the ethics investigation into Gaetz. In response, Gaetz accused McCarthy of attempting to discredit him.
Their ongoing feud was evident during the recent Republican National Convention, where Gaetz famously heckled McCarthy during a live interview. McCarthy chose to proceed with the interview, denouncing Gaetz as someone embroiled in controversy relating to an alleged ethics complaint.
Despite the contention, Gaetz was anticipated to win the GOP nomination and is expected to triumph in the general election set for November in a predominantly Republican district. However, the implications of this primary might influence Gaetz’s aspirations, as he is rumored to be contemplating a bid for Florida governor in 2026.
He stated in a social media post earlier this week that he currently has no intentions to run for governor, expressing contentment with his present role and his desire to assist former President Trump in Washington. He lightheartedly added, “If those plans change, I hope I have opposition as incompetent as these dorks.”