Former state Rep. Joel Rudman said he knew a run for Congress was a long-shot. But he also felt within hours of being sworn into a legislative term that House leadership itched for a fight with Gov. Ron DeSantis, and he wanted no part in it.

Both Republicans will now advance to the April 1 special election, where they are expected to be heavy favorites in the solid GOP districts.

Update: Jimmy Patronis and Randy Fine swept their respective primaries in congressional special elections. Patronis had 65.6% of the vote in CD 1 with 65% of the vote counted. There was no Democratic primary so Patronis will face Gay Valimont.

A dispute between Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Republican leaders of the Legislature over conflicting views of an immigration crackdown escalated Monday after the governor labeled as “bizarre” lawmakers’ proposal to strip him of immigration enforcement powers.

Jimmy Patronis easily won the Republican special primary Tuesday in the race to replace Matt Gaetz in Congress.

With the backing of President Donald Trump, state Sen. Randy Fine and state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis on Tuesday won special Republican primary elections for congressional seats.

Two Trump-endorsed candidates won Republican primaries for special House elections in Florida on Tuesday night.

President Donald Trump-endorsed candidates Jimmy Patronis and Randy Fine won their Republican primaries in the special elections to replace former Florida Reps. Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz, notching win

Polls will open at 7 a.m. Tuesday in Escambia, Okaloosa and Santa Rosa Counties for the special primary election. Ten Republican candidates are on the ballot to fill the

Florida’s chief financial officer, Jimmy Patronis, won the Republican nomination Tuesday night to fill former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz’s vacant seat in Congress in the Panhandle. Across the state, in the 6th Congressional District,

Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis and state Senator Randy Fine vie against longshot Democratic candidates in April.