A pair of special elections for the U.S. House in Florida on Tuesday to fill the vacancies left by former Republican Reps. Mike Waltz and Matt Gaetz has heated up.
A pair of special elections in Florida for the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday to fill vacancies left by former Republican Reps. Mike Waltz and Matt Gaetz has heated up in recent weeks — especially in the 6th District where Waltz served.
Both lawmakers resigned to join the Trump administration, although Gaetz withdrew his nomination as attorney general when it became clear that he did not have sufficient support in the Senate to become confirmed.
Ahead of the election, Republicans have 218 seats in the House — a slim majority. The GOP will hold onto its majority no matter what the results of the Florida elections, but if they lose a seat, that will make legislating more difficult, especially on measures where every Republican doesn’t vote with the party.
While Republicans will hold on to their majority regardless of the results in Florida, the election comes amid concerns over maintaining that power — a concern that spilled into the public when President Donald Trump recently asked Rep. Elise Stefanik to withdraw from her nomination as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations rather than give up her seat.
One of the Florida races is in play more than expected, with uncertainty among some Republicans over whether their candidate in the 6th District, state Sen. Randy Fine, can keep the seat safely in Republican hands, given that he has lagged far behind the Democratic candidate, teacher and progressive Josh Weil, in fundraising.
