Incoming U.S. President Donald J. Trump handpicked Florida’s former Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, publicly encouraging him run for Northwest Florida’s 1st Congressional seat, which was vacated last month by Matt Gaetz. Now multiple House Republican leaders are endorsing him.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La), House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La) and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn) have all followed Trump’s lead in endorsing the native Northwest Floridian.
Patronis is a native of Northwest Florida who hails from a family with deep roots in Bay County, owning Capt. Anderson’s Restaurant & Waterfront Market in Panama City.
This morning Patronis thanked House GOP leadership for its support.
A Republican Primary will take place Jan. 28 ahead of the April 1 Special Election for the seat.
