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.

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

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.

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

Trump-endorsed candidates Jimmy Patronis and Randy Fine won the Republican primaries to replace former Florida Reps. Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz, signaling strong conservative holds on these districts.

Republican voters in several Florida counties head to the polls on Tuesday, where they will select GOP nominees to fill seats that were held by former Reps. Michael Waltz and Matt Gaetz.

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

The wins put MAGA loyalists Jimmy Patronis and Randy Fine on glide paths to Congress when they take on little-known Democratic opponents in special general elections on April 1.

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

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.