Florida Republican Confronted With Democrat Rival's Fundraising

A Republican running in upcoming special elections in Florida dismissed his Democratic opponent's far higher fundraising when confronted with the estimate that he was being "outspent five to one."

Fox News host Griff Jenkins pointed out to Jimmy Patronis during an interview on Sunday that he had raised far less than his opponent, Democrat Gay Valimont.

But Patronis said that Valimont has "access to more resources because the Democrats have nowhere else to send their money."

Newsweek has contacted the Patronis and Valimont campaigns for comment via email.

Why It Matters

Patronis, Florida's chief financial officer, and Valimont, a gun control activist, are running in Florida's 1st Congressional District to replace former U.S. Representative Matt Gaetz in one of two special elections held in GOP strongholds on Tuesday.

Patronis is expected to defeat Valimont, but Democrats are hoping that strong fundraising in the districts is a sign that the race, as well as another special election to replace Michael Waltz in Florida's 6th Congressional District, will be more competitive than in November's election.

The outcome of the races won't affect control of the House, but could have major implications since Republicans have a narrow 218-215 majority. The results could also indicate the level of support that President Donald Trump and Republicans maintain a few months into his second term and whether Democrats have recovered from November's crushing election defeats.

What To Know

During the interview, Jenkins noted that Senator Randy Fine, who is running in a special election in Florida's 6th congressional district, has expressed concern about Republican turnout in Tuesday's elections.

"What are you feeling about voter turnout in your race," he asked.

Patronis replied that Democrats were "soliciting money from all over the country to try to change this seat from red to blue."

He said voters in northwest Florida are "educated," adding that Democrats "are literally setting their money on fire trying to influence Republicans who turned out overwhelmingly for President Trump every time he's been on the ballot."

But Jenkins noted that Patronis was being "outspent five to one, it looks like" and noted that the Democratic candidates running in Tuesday's elections had garnered significantly more in donations than Patronis and Fine.

Valimont and Josh Weil, the Democratic nominee running against Fine, raised a combined $16 million as of March 12, far surpassing the $3.1 million that Patronis and Fine brought in, The Washington Post reported.

Asked if that would be a vulnerability, Patronis said Valimont's access to more resources was because Democrats "have nowhere else to send their money."

But he stressed that it means Republicans need to vote in-person on Tuesday because it's too late to send in a mail ballot.

Valimont, who also appeared on Fox News, said the fundraising totals reflect the change that voters want to see in Congress. She also said voters are angry about the Trump administration's cuts recommended by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency that have seen federal employees in Florida lose their jobs as well as President Donald Trump's tariff agenda.

What People Are Saying

Patronis said on Fox News on Sunday: "But yeah, look, she [Valimont] is going to have access to more resources because the Democrats have nowhere else to send their money. So literally, you know, we're outperforming them at the polls right now with mail-in and early ballots. But that's why it's so important, so important that people realize you're not going to get a ballot in the mail this late in the game. You have to show up on Tuesday. You have to vote. You have to send Jimmy Patronis to Washington, D.C. to help President Trump."

Valimont said on Fox News on Sunday: "We've raised a lot of money because a lot of people want balance in Congress … I've spent 19 months talking to people in this district. Democrats, Republicans and independents alike, because I know I can't win without Republican votes. Their problem is what our problem is. It's we don't have enough money in our pocket and we fear losing our jobs and now we're having to face tariffs on top of that."

What's Next

The special election in Florida's 1st Congressional District will be held on Tuesday. Polls close at 7 p.m. local time.