FLORIDA — President-elect Donald Trump throws coattails into the races to replace the Florida polititians tapped to serve in his administration, and withdrawn attorney general nominee Matt Gaetz floats a potential run for Florida governor.
Let's get into it.
Previous Episodes of Political Connections
- Bondi begins her AG bid as Gaetz reacts to speculation, and Russia's missile strike raises nuclear concerns
- Trump nominates former Florida AG Pam Bondi to be attorney general after Gaetz withdraws
- Gaetz says he won't return to Congress next year after withdrawing name for attorney general
Trump endorses Fine and Patronis after creating Florida vacancies
President-elect Donald Trump's reliance on Florida politicians to fill out his new cabinet has caused a domino effect of open seats across the state.
Those vacant positions now need to be filled, and the incoming president is making his preferences well known.
Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis tendered his resignation, effective March 31, 2025, in a letter Monday to Gov. Ron DeSantis. Patronis is rumored to be running in an April 1 special election to succeed Matt Gaetz, who resigned his CD-1 seat in a failed bid for U.S. Attorney General.
Trump threw his support behind a Patronis candidacy in a Truth Social post.
"Jimmy Patronis, Chief Financial Officer for the Great State of Florida, has done a tremendous job as CFO ... Should he decide to enter this Race, Jimmy Patronis has my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, JIMMY, RUN!"
Patronis responded on X.
"Put me to work, Mr. President! I am here to serve."
He ended his brief post with a salute emoji.
Gov. DeSantis will have to appoint a replacement to serve the remainder of Patronis' term, and Trump has an opinion on that selection, as well.
He previously endorsed State Senator Joe Gruters for CFO. On Monday, Gruters reposted that endorsement on X and made it clear he intends to run for CFO, regardless of who DeSantis decides to appoint, as "President Trump's endorsed candidate."
Trump is also putting his political capital behind State Senator Randy Fine to take over CD-6.
That seat was vacated by Rep. Mike Waltz, who was tapped to serve as Trump's national security advisor.
"I am hearing that America First Patriot Randy Fine is considering launching his Campaign for Congress in Florida's 6th Congresstional District! ... Should he decide to enter this Race, Randy Fine has my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, RANDY, RUN!," Trump posted on Truth Social.
Fine shared a screenshot of the endorsement on X and wrote, " ... It would be the honor of my life to be one of your footsoldiers. Your confidence is overwhelming and I will have news to share soon!."
Gaetz floats the idea of running for Florida governor
He hinted at a potential run Sunday in response to a Lake County commissioner's prediction that he will become the next governor of Florida, and the speculation about Matt Gaetz' political future has been swirling since then.
In fact, questions about the now former congressman's next step have been asked and left unanswered since he withdrew his nomination for U.S. Attorney General.
Gaetz further fueled the rumor mill in a post about the weather on X.
"If I run for Florida Governor, it will be on the platform to outlaw frost," Gaetz wrote in response to a meme about Floridians battling cooler temperatures.
While Gaetz' career plans remain unclear, he is making some money online. He launched a Cameo account, where he's charging $500 for personalized videos.