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HOUSE
FL-1: Petronis Coalescing Support
State CFO Jimmy Petronis (R), though not a resident of Congressional District 1, is quickly becoming the man to beat in the Jan. 28 Republican special primary election to replace resigned Rep. Matt Gaetz (R).
Armed with President-Elect Trump's endorsement, Sen. Rick Scott (R) now joins the Petronis backers. State Rep. Michelle Salzman (R-Pensacola), businessman Keith Gross, and former state Rep. Frank White have all dropped out of the race and endorsed Mr. Petronis.
While 13 other Republicans are still on the ballot, Mr. Petronis is fast becoming the clear
favorite. The special general election is scheduled for April 1. The FiveThirtyEight data
organization rates FL-1 as the safest seat in the state at R+38.
FL-6: State Senator is Leading Cong Candidate
President-Elect Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) have already chosen their preferred candidate to replace outgoing Florida US Rep. Mike Waltz (R-St. Augustine Beach).
Waltz, Trump's choice for National Security Advisor, announced that he will resign his seat on Jan. 20, the day the President-Elect is sworn into office for a non-consecutive second term.
With those endorsements, state Sen. Randy Fine (R-Melbourne) is the clear early favorite; though seven other Republicans, including two former local elected officials and Rep. Waltz's district director, are also announced candidates.
Because of the appointment notice, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) was able to combine the state's two special congressional elections in one cycle (primary Jan. 28; special general, April 1).
GOVERNOR
New York: Rep. Torres Considering Gov Race
US Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-Bronx) is confirming reports that he is considering challenging Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) in the 2026 Democratic gubernatorial primary. Mr. Torres, a staunch supporter of Israel, also says he would consider entering the crowded 2025 New York City Mayor's race, but the Governor's challenge, he reiterates, is "more appealing."
Governor Hochul ascended to the Governor's office from her elected post as Lt. Governor after then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) resigned. She defeated New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and US Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) 67-19-13% in the 2022 Democratic primary. She won the general election with an underwhelming 53-47% margin over then-US Rep. Lee Zeldin (R).
Of all 50 states, New York was the state in which President-Elect Trump's performance improved over his 2020 showing by the largest margin in the country – a net 11.4 percentage points. It is not outside the realm of possibility for the state to become more competitive in future elections.
Jim Ellis is a 35-year veteran of politics at the state and national levels. He has served ss executive director for two national political action committees, as well as a consultant to the three national Republican Party organizations in DC, the National Federation of Independent Business, and various national conservative groups.
Born and raised in Sacramento, California, he earned a B. A. in Political Science from the University of California at Davis in 1979. Jim raised his daughter, Jacqueline, alone after his wife died following a tragic car accident. He helped establish the Joan Ellis Victims Assistance Network in Rochester, NH. Jim also is a member of the Northern Virginia Football Officials Association, which officiates high school games throughout the region.