Gay Valimont

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Gay Valimont
Image of Gay Valimont

Candidate, U.S. House Florida District 1

Elections and appointments
Next election

April 1, 2025

Education

Bachelor's

Georgia Southern University, 1996

Graduate

Troy State University, 2000

Personal
Birthplace
Thomaston, Ga.
Religion
Christian
Profession
Healthcare professional
Contact

Gay Valimont (Democratic Party) is running in a special election to the U.S. House to represent Florida's 1st Congressional District. She is on the ballot in the special general election on April 1, 2025. The Democratic primary for this office on January 28, 2025, was canceled.

Valimont is also running for election to the U.S. House to represent Florida's 1st Congressional District. She declared candidacy for the 2026 election.[source]

Biography

Gay Valimont was born in Thomaston, Georgia. She earned a bachelor's degree from Georgia Southern University in 1996 and a graduate degree from Troy State University in 2000. Her career experience includes working as an athletic trainer.[1]

Elections

2026

See also: Florida's 1st Congressional District election, 2026

Note: At this time, Ballotpedia is combining all declared candidates for this election into one list under a general election heading. As primary election dates are published, this information will be updated to separate general election candidates from primary candidates as appropriate.

General election

The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.

General election for U.S. House Florida District 1

The following candidates are running in the general election for U.S. House Florida District 1 on November 3, 2026.


Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

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2025

See also: Florida's 1st Congressional District special election, 2025

General election

Special general election for U.S. House Florida District 1

The following candidates are running in the special general election for U.S. House Florida District 1 on April 1, 2025.

Candidate
Image of Gay Valimont
Gay Valimont (D)
Image of Jimmy Patronis
Jimmy Patronis (R)
Image of Stephen E. Broden
Stephen E. Broden (No Party Affiliation)
Image of Richard Dembinsky
Richard Dembinsky (Independent) (Write-in)
Image of Stanley Gray
Stanley Gray (Independent) (Write-in)
Jonathan Green (Independent) (Write-in)
Image of Stan McDaniels
Stan McDaniels (Independent) (Write-in)

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Gay Valimont advanced from the special Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 1.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Special Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 1

The following candidates ran in the special Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 1 on January 28, 2025.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Jimmy Patronis
Jimmy Patronis
 
65.8
 
33,554
Image of Joel Rudman
Joel Rudman
 
10.0
 
5,083
Image of Aaron Dimmock
Aaron Dimmock
 
6.7
 
3,398
Image of Gene Valentino
Gene Valentino
 
6.0
 
3,059
Image of Michael Thompson
Michael Thompson
 
5.0
 
2,528
Image of Greg Merk
Greg Merk
 
2.5
 
1,276
Jeff Peacock
 
1.4
 
737
Image of Kevin Gaffney
Kevin Gaffney Candidate Connection
 
1.2
 
629
Image of John Mills
John Mills
 
1.1
 
570
Jeff Macey
 
0.4
 
186

Total votes: 51,020
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Endorsements

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2024

See also: Florida's 1st Congressional District election, 2024

Florida's 1st Congressional District election, 2024 (August 20 Republican primary)

Florida's 1st Congressional District election, 2024 (August 20 Democratic primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Florida District 1

Incumbent Matt Gaetz defeated Gay Valimont in the general election for U.S. House Florida District 1 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Matt Gaetz
Matt Gaetz (R)
 
66.0
 
274,108
Image of Gay Valimont
Gay Valimont (D) Candidate Connection
 
34.0
 
140,980

Total votes: 415,088
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Gay Valimont advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 1.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 1

Incumbent Matt Gaetz defeated Aaron Dimmock in the Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 1 on August 20, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Matt Gaetz
Matt Gaetz
 
72.6
 
70,824
Image of Aaron Dimmock
Aaron Dimmock
 
27.4
 
26,788

Total votes: 97,612
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Endorsements

Valimont received the following endorsements.

Campaign themes

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Gay Valimont has not yet completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey. If you are Gay Valimont, click here to fill out Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

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2025

Candidate Connection

Gay Valimont has not yet completed Ballotpedia's 2025 Candidate Connection survey. If you are Gay Valimont, click here to fill out Ballotpedia's 2025 Candidate Connection survey.

Who fills out Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey?

Any candidate running for elected office, at any level, can complete Ballotpedia's Candidate Survey. Completing the survey will update the candidate's Ballotpedia profile, letting voters know who they are and what they stand for.  More than 21,000 candidates have taken Ballotpedia's candidate survey since we launched it in 2015. Learn more about the survey here.

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2024

Candidate Connection

Gay Valimont completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Valimont's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Gay Valimont is a mother and gun violence prevention activist in Pensacola, Florida who has devoted her life to improving public safety. Gay earned a bachelor’s degree in Health and Exercise Science from Georgia Southern University, her National Athletic Trainers Association accreditation, and her M.A. in Education from Troy State University before pursuing her career in sports medicine in Atlanta.

There she worked for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and, later, Emory Sports Medicine as an athletic trainer. During her time in Atlanta, she met her husband Brian Valimont and started a family, giving birth to their son Eli in 2012. Together the family made the move to Pensacola for the incredible beaches and good public schools for Eli. While Gay couldn’t have been happier as a stay-at-home mother to Eli, she felt a pull to serve after the Sandy Hook School shooting unfolded and got involved. She joined Moms Demand Action for Gunsense in America locally and stayed engaged, even when Brian’s job moved them to Naples. By 2016, Gay was a full-time grassroots activist and had worked her way up to Florida State Lead. In 2020, Gay faced the unimaginable when her husband Brian was diagnosed with ALS and a few months later their 8-year-old son Eli was diagnosed with DIPG, a rare and terminal brain tumor. Gay served as the primary caretaker for both until they passed away, within months of each other. She then returned to Pensacola – where her family was happiest.

  • While navigating the terminal illnesses of both her husband and son at the same time, Gay got a real-world education on the importance of accessibility and affordability of healthcare. Every person should have access to the care they need without wondering if they can afford to save their own life or the life of a loved one. Universal, affordable, quality health care must be a priority. Gay will fight to: Expand Medicaid, Protect Medicare, Defend the Affordable Care Act, Reduce prescription costs, Ensure that all Americans have access to quality doctors and preventative health care, and treatment for their physical and mental health.
  • All Americans deserve to live full, free, healthy lives. We must ensure that all people, including women, minorities, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ+ Americans, and Indigenous persons have equal access to housing and healthcare, educational opportunities, access to credit, and safe working conditions. All aspects of our government must be committed to the rule of law and equal protection for all. Gay will fight for: Access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare and the right to choose. Equal pay for equal work and closing the gender pay gap. Policies that address racial and ethnic disparities in education, criminal justice, and economic opportunities. Ensuring LGBTQ+ rights through anti-discrimination measures. Disability Rights.
  • Gun violence is a deadly public health crisis that demands action. More than 120 gun fatalities occurring every day and the #1 killer of children. To address this crisis, we must take immediate and comprehensive steps at the national level. At the core of our strategy is legislation to strengthen background checks for all gun purchases, a critical measure to keep firearms out of the hands of terrorists, domestic abusers, and violent criminals. Gay will fight for: Universal Background Checks on ALL gun sales to close existing loopholes and ensure every sale includes a thorough background check. Strengthening and expanding Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs), or Red Flag Laws, t

Gay is passionate about bridging the divide and taking the HATE out our politics. She believes there are bipartisan solutions to many problems that face Americans, like border security, that the current Congress is incapable of doing. The most urgent needs are making sure all Americans have accessible and affordable healthcare, including abortion/ reproductive healthcare. Gun Violence is an epidemic that has plagued every community but has sensible bipartisan solutions that have not been addressed because of lawmakers inaction. I believe if we want to change our gun laws to include strong background checks on all gun sales, we must change Congress. Voting rights are paramount, because access to the ballot is the cornerstone to democracy.

I believe our elected officials should be honest and set the tone for American politics that does not include hate and division. I believe Congress should enact term limits for US House and Senate, so that our our lawmaking body moves forward with the American people and makes the most of their time in Congress.

Listening and caring about what your constituents say and need to improve THEIR lives.

I believe the core responsibilities of our elected officials is to listen to all of their constituents and act on their behalf. I also believe it is the duty of electees to be honest, even if it does not benefit them politically.

I would like my legacy to be that I worked harder than everyone else and made our world better.

I waited tables for 9 years through college.

Llama Llama Red Pajama- Because it was my son's favorite book as a child.

in 2021 my 9yo son Eli died from a terminal brain tumor and six months later years my husband Brian died of ALS. I was their caregiver, simultaneously.

Congress should have term limits: 4 for House, 2 for Senate

Everytown for Gun Safety, Ban Assault Weapons Now.

Veterans Affairs, Armed Services, Education, Oversight, Ethics

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.



Campaign website

Valimont’s campaign website stated the following:

Healthcare Access

While navigating the terminal illnesses of both her husband and son at the same time, Gay got a real-world education on the importance of accessibility and affordability of healthcare. Every person should have access to the care they need without wondering if they can afford to save their own life or the life of a loved one. Universal, affordable, quality health care must be a priority.

Gay will fight to:

  • Expand Medicaid
  • Protect Medicare
  • Defend the Affordable Care Act
  • Reduce prescription costs
  • Ensure that all Americans have access to quality doctors, preventative health care, and treatment for their physical and mental health


Our Military and Veterans

Gay has an unwavering commitment to the largest military population in Florida who proudly call District 1 home. Her step-father was a disabled Navy veteran and knows first hand the struggle VA care can be. Gay also recognizes our military bases as vital components of our community with value that extends well beyond their military functions as they bolster local economies across the district, generating jobs and fostering growth. We must and will protect our military and veterans.

Gay will fight for:

  • Comprehensive mental health care for past, current, and future veterans
  • Legislation that guarantees veterans have easily accessible and cost-effective healthcare choices
  • Initiatives that facilitate veterans’ transition to civilian careers and bring improvements to the G.I Bill
  • Strategies to prevent and address veteran homelessness, including providing access to transitional housing and supportive services
  • Environmental measures to safeguard our bases against natural disasters.
  • Obtain Federal funding for a full VA hospital for District 1


Education

We must ensure that all American children have access to the best education possible, no matter their socioeconomic status. This begins with providing high-quality, affordable pre-kindergarten education for all children nationwide, offering a strong start to their academic journey. Gay is committed to ensuring fair and equal access to accurate educational materials. She believes in creating safe environments in our schools, where all children can learn without fear of discrimination.

Gay will fight to:

  • Increase funding for public schools, with a focus on schools in low-income areas to reduce disparities in educational resources
  • Provide educators with competitive salaries and professional development resources
  • Ensure students have ample opportunities to pursue higher education without the burden of a lifetime of debt


Affordable Housing

Florida is currently experiencing a housing crisis. Soaring housing and insurance costs have caused homelessness to skyrocket, particularly among our most vulnerable citizens like seniors and veterans. Despite laws prohibiting renting and lending discrimination, people of color continue to face barriers to home ownership and rentals. All Americans must have access to safe and stable housing.

Gay will fight to:

  • Incentivize the construction of affordable housing
  • Expand rental assistance for low-income families
  • Close the racial homeownership gap
  • Support legislation like the Place to Prosper Act – which would reduce rent increases, make evictions more difficult, and ban source of income discrimination


Our Environment

The preservation of our coastlines through proven environmental protection measures is essential to safeguard Florida’s natural beauty and diverse ecosystems that attract tourists, support our local businesses, and make up our homes. Florida is especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including sea-level rise and more frequent hurricanes.

Gay will fight to:

  • Invest in clean energy infrastructures
  • Conserve public lands and natural habitats
  • Prioritize clean water initiatives and enforce regulations to prevent pollution in rivers, lakes, and coastal areas
  • Address climate resilience through infrastructure investments, flood control measures, and coastal protections


Voting Right

A thriving democracy is built on the principle that every eligible citizen’s voice should be heard. Gay will strive to create a more inclusive, equitable, and robust democracy where every eligible voter can exercise their right to vote, participate fully in our political process, and have confidence in the integrity of our elections. Together, we will build a stronger, more representative democracy that reflects the will of the people.

Gay will fight to:

  • Defend and strengthen the Voting Rights Act to prevent discriminatory voting practices and protect vulnerable communities from voter disenfranchisement
  • Invest in election security measures to protect our democracy from foreign interference and misinformation
  • Reform campaign finance regulations to reduce the influence of big money in politics and amplify the voices of everyday citizens
  • Institute automatic universal voter registration for all eligible citizens upon turning 18, as well as same-day voter registration and online registration to eliminate barriers to participation


Equity & Justice for All

All Americans deserve to live full, free, healthy lives. We must ensure that all people, including women, minorities, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ+ Americans, and Indigenous persons have equal access to housing and healthcare, educational opportunities, access to credit, and safe working conditions. All aspects of our government must be committed to the rule of law and equal protection for all Americans.

Gay will fight for:

  • Access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare and the right to choose
  • Equal pay for equal work and closing the gender pay gap
  • Policies that address racial and ethnic disparities in education, criminal justice, and economic opportunities
  • Ensuring LGBTQ+ rights through anti-discrimination measures
  • Upholding disability rights through accessible infrastructure and inclusive policies
  • Supporting labor unions to protect workers' rights, ensure fair wages, and secure safe working conditions


Gun Violen Prevention

Gun violence is a deadly public health crisis that demands action. With more than 120 gun fatalities occurring every day, we cannot rely on thoughts and prayers alone. To address this crisis, we must take immediate and comprehensive steps at the national level. At the core of our strategy is legislation to strengthen background checks for all gun purchases, a critical measure to keep firearms out of the hands of terrorists, domestic abusers, and violent criminals.

Gay will fight for:

  • Universal Background Checks on ALL gun sales to close existing loopholes and ensure every sale includes a thorough background check
  • Strengthening and expanding Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs), commonly known as Red Flag Laws, to empower concerned family members and law enforcement
  • Making sure provisions from President Biden’s Safer Communities Act are enforced. Including closing the dangerous “boyfriend loophole” that allows individuals convicted of abusing their dating partners to legally retain registered firearms
  • Investing in evidence-based Community-Based Violence Prevention programs and initiatives.

[2]

—Gay Valimont’s campaign website (2024)[3]

Campaign finance summary


Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.


Gay Valimont campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2025* U.S. House Florida District 1On the Ballot general$103,639 $72,311
2024* U.S. House Florida District 1Lost general$1,585,276 $1,577,031
Grand total$1,688,915 $1,649,342
Sources: OpenSecretsFederal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

See also


External links

Footnotes

  1. Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on March 11, 2024
  2. Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  3. Gay Valimont’s campaign website, “Issues,” accessed July 24, 2024


Senators
Representatives
District 1
Vacant
District 2
Neal Dunn (R)
District 3
District 4
District 5
District 6
Vacant
District 7
District 8
District 9
District 10
District 11
District 12
District 13
Anna Luna (R)
District 14
District 15
District 16
District 17
District 18
District 19
District 20
District 21
District 22
District 23
District 24
District 25
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District 27
District 28
Republican Party (20)
Democratic Party (8)
Vacancies (2)