Rep. Matt Gaetz has emerged victorious in his primary election against challenger Aaron Dimmock in Florida. Gaetz, who played a significant role in the removal of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, secured approximately 71% of the vote compared to Dimmock’s 28% with around 72% of the ballots counted.
In a post-election interview, Gaetz expressed his thoughts about McCarthy, stating, “Kevin McCarthy was motivated by revenge and pettiness.” He is now set to continue his tenure in Congress while McCarthy faces his own consequences following his ouster.
Dimmock, a first-time candidate and former Navy officer, acknowledged the outcome in a social media message, indicating that it did not meet his expectations but felt honored to provide an alternative to voters against a seasoned politician.
The conflict between Gaetz and McCarthy escalated last year when Gaetz spearheaded the motion to vacate McCarthy’s position, ultimately resulting in a historic removal as just eight Republicans joined Democrats to vote him out. This unrest stemmed from dissatisfaction with McCarthy’s strategies to avoid a government shutdown. Following a protracted struggle within the GOP to elect a new speaker, McCarthy stepped down from the House.
In his bid to retain Florida’s 1st Congressional District, Gaetz brushed off the financial efforts against him. He reported that McCarthy’s political action committees spent over $3 million in attempts to defeat him, underscoring his connection with local voters.
While other lawmakers who sided with Gaetz against McCarthy have had mixed election results, the implications of the feud continue to linger. Gaetz remains under scrutiny, as the House Ethics Committee has indicated that some allegations against him require more investigation.
Despite the ongoing controversies, Gaetz entered the primary expected to secure the GOP nomination, confirming his position in a district that leans heavily Republican. As speculation mounts about a future gubernatorial campaign, Gaetz has publicly stated he has no immediate plans to run for Governor, expressing satisfaction with his congressional role and his desire to support former President Donald Trump in Washington. In a parting note, he added that he would welcome opponents of lower competence should he decide to change his career path in the future.