Matt Gaetz defeats McCarthy-backed candidate in Florida primary

Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz easily won his primary in Florida’s 1st Congressional District, defeating Aaron Dimmock, a McCarthy-backed Navy veteran, with 72% of the vote. The race was closely watched as part of a broader effort by former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to challenge Republicans who voted to oust him from his leadership position last fall.

Gaetz, who led the effort to remove McCarthy, claimed that his victory proved the limits of “big money” influence in politics.

Dimmock acknowledged his defeat on social media, stating, “Running as a first time candidate against a powerful career politician is never easy, but I was honored to have the opportunity to be that alternative.”

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Despite McCarthy’s PAC spending millions against him, Gaetz told CBS News, “Kevin McCarthy was motivated by revenge and pettiness and I think some very destructive soul searching. I’m on my way to the 119th Congress, and he’s on his way to whatever the next stage of grief is.”

McCarthy’s revenge campaign has seen mixed results. While he helped unseat Virginia Rep. Bob Good, R, other Republicans like South Carolina’s Nancy Mace and Arizona’s Eli Crane survived their challenges.

For Gaetz, his win further solidifies his grip on the Florida panhandle’s deep-red district, with some speculating about a possible future run for Florida governor.

Gaetz denied those rumors on social media, saying he has “no plans” for a gubernatorial bid and remains focused on supporting former President Donald Trump in Washington.