Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis resigned on Monday to enter the special election for Florida’s 1st Congressional District, following an endorsement from President-elect Donald Trump. Patronis, who has served as the state’s CFO for nearly eight years, announced in a letter to Governor Ron DeSantis and Secretary of State Cord Byrd that he would step down effective March 31, 2025, just one day before the special election.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as Florida’s CFO,” Patronis wrote in his resignation letter. He had previously expressed interest in running for the congressional seat, which covers the westernmost part of Florida’s Panhandle.
The resignation came shortly after Trump publicly endorsed Patronis, offering a significant boost to his candidacy. Trump’s support was a key factor, as Patronis had not yet officially announced his bid for Congress when the endorsement came through. The seat became vacant after former US Representative Matt Gaetz resigned earlier this month to pursue a position as US attorney general. Gaetz, who had represented the district since 2017, withdrew from consideration for the attorney general role amid controversy regarding past allegations of misconduct, which he denies.
With Gaetz’s resignation, several Republicans have already entered the race for the seat, but Trump’s early backing of Patronis is seen as a game-changer. Florida’s 1st Congressional District is one of the most conservative in the state, and Trump’s influence is expected to play a crucial role in the special election.
State Representative Michelle Salzman, who also announced her candidacy last week, quickly threw her support behind Patronis after Trump’s endorsement, calling it a unifying moment for the party.
Patronis’ resignation will allow Governor DeSantis to appoint a replacement CFO before the next election in 2026. Additionally, Trump is reportedly encouraging state Senator Randy Fine to run for Florida’s 6th Congressional District seat, following the departure of US Representative Mike Waltz, who has been selected to serve as Trump’s national security adviser.
