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.

Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis will be the Republican nominee in a Special Election to replace U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz. The Panama City Republican emerged as the top vote-getter in a 10-candidate field running in a Special Primary held Tuesday in Florida’s 1st Congressional District.

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.

A slate of congressional hopefuls are vying to win their Florida primaries in special elections to replace two high-profile House Republicans.

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

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 vacant Florida District 1 seat in Congress formerly held by Matt Gaetz.

Jimmy Patronis and Randy Fine won their primaries in the special elections to replace former Florida Reps. Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz, notching wins in reliably conservative districts.

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

Florida state Sen. Randy Fine, a self-described “conservative firebrand,” won the Republican primary in the special election to replace former Rep. Mike Waltz in Florida’s 6th Congressional District.

Patronis has the Trump endorsement, boasts the best name recognition in the district, and went into the stretch run of the Primary race best positioned financially, with almost $711,000 cash on hand as of Jan. 8. To put that in perspective, no other candidate in the crowded field had more than $33,000 for the stretch run.

Ron DeSantis surprised legislative leaders by ... And with Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis running for the U.S. House seat vacated by Matt Gaetz, there’ll be another Cabinet post to ...