Incumbent Matt Gaetz (R) and Aaron Dimmock (R) are running in the Republican primary for Florida’s 1st Congressional District

Incumbent Matt Gaetz (R) and Aaron Dimmock (R) are running in the Republican primary for Florida’s 1st Congressional District on August 20, 2024. Former president Donald Trump (R) endorsed Gaetz in the primary, and former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R) endorsed Dimmock.

Gaetz, who was first elected to Congress in 2016, received national media attention in October 2023 when he filed a motion to remove McCarthy as Speaker of the House, which ultimately became the first successful motion to remove a House speaker in U.S. history. Gaetz was one of eight House Republicans who voted to remove McCarthy as Speaker.

In February 2024, Politico called Gaetz the biggest target in McCarthy allies’ campaign to recruit primary challengers to run against the eight House Republicans who voted to remove McCarthy. In July 2024, The New York Times reported that a group connected to a top McCarthy ally had released a television ad attacking Gaetz.

Gaetz responded to McCarthy’s endorsement of Dimmock saying, “I whooped Kevin McCarthy in Washington. I don’t think he’s going to fare better when I’m playing home-field advantage in North Florida.”

Before he was elected to Congress, Gaetz served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2010 to 2016 and worked as a lawyer. Gaetz says he supports America First policies, a term often associated with former President Trump and his platform. According to his official website, Gaetz’s priorities include national security, veterans’ affairs, and adherence to constitutional principles.

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal shortly after announcing his re-election campaign in June 2024, Gaetz said, “I’m trying to reshape the House in my image,” and described that image as a Republican and a fighter who can “end the wars, shut the border, reduce the spending.”

Dimmock, who served in the Navy and worked as a business consultant, describes himself as pro-life, pro-Second Amendment, and pro-Trump. In an interview with Fox News, Dimmock said he was running because “The voters in District 1 deserve an alternative and I can bring that alternative, not just with my military service all around the globe but as a person of honor, integrity, and character.”

Dimmock said he believes voters are “ready for someone to come in, to move away from the chaos that was started by Matt in the Republican Party, in Congress. And they’re ready for an alternative option for change. Someone who’s going to represent them duly up on the Hill.”

Based on Q2 2024 reports filed with the Federal Election Commission, Gaetz raised $5.4 million and spent $4.2 million and Dimmock raised $295,744 and spent $33,087. To review all the campaign finance figures in full detail, click here.

As of July 9, 2024, The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter and Inside Elections with Nathan Gonzales rated the general election Solid Republican and Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ball rated it Safe Republican. In the 2022 general election, Gaetz defeated Rebekah Jones (D) 67.9%-32.1%.

All 435 seats are up for election. Republicans have a 220 to 213 majority with two vacancies. As of June 2024, 45 members of the U.S. House had announced they were not running for re-election. To read more about the U.S. House elections taking place this year, click here.

Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Donald Trump (R) would have defeated Joe Biden (D) 65.3%-33.0%.