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By Gabe Whisnant
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Despite a multimillion-dollar effort to boost his primary challenger, House Republican Matt Gaetz proved to be more popular among Florida's 1st Congressional District GOP voters in 2024 than in 2022.
Facing retired Naval officer Aaron Dimmock, who was backed by Gaetz's intraparty enemy, former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, the congressman finished with 72.5 percent of the vote as of 11 p.m. EDT on Tuesday with 99 percent of the votes counted. Dimmock had just 27.5 percent.
In 2022, Gaetz won the district GOP primary against two opponents, gaining 69.7 percent of the vote. His closest 2022 challenger, Mark Lombardo, finished at 24.4 percent while another opponent, Greg Merk, received 5.9 percent of the vote.
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Gaetz has been vocal in his criticism of McCarthy over the past several months after he successfully filed a motion last year to oust McCarthy from his role as House Speaker.
McCarthy, a California Republican, served as speaker from January to October 2023, presiding over a razor-thin GOP majority and a caucus bitterly divided between more moderate members and those further to the right. Following a deal with Democratic members to get a temporary government funding bill passed, Gaetz filed a motion to oust McCarthy from the speakership, leading to the first ouster of a sitting Speaker by a floor vote during a session of Congress.
As part of McCarthy's "revenge tour," the eight Republicans who voted to oust the Speaker faced well-funded primary challenges—boosted by McCarthy's endorsement and PACs aligned with the former Speaker. Only one of McCarthy's enemies, incumbent Representative Bob Good of Virginia, lost a GOP primary.
According to multiple reports, a McCarthy-aligned group, Florida Patriots PAC, spent $3.5 million on Florida's 1st Congressional District primary race. Many of the attack ads aimed at Gaetz referenced probes pertaining to allegations of drug use and sexual impropriety.
In a speech in front of supporters posted to X, formerly Twitter, Tuesday night, Gaetz said, "It's traditional in moments like these or with margins of victory like this you hear from your opponents, but I have not yet heard from Aaron Dimmock or Kevin McCarthy this evening. Kevin McCarthy spent $3 million in this race not attacking my votes or my work on your behalf, but just simply trying to attack my character. Two years ago, I got 70 percent of the vote, and tonight it looks like we're getting 73 percent of the vote.
Gaetz, who has been endorsed by 2024 Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump, exclaimed as the video concluded, "So, Kevin, if you're watching, spend a little more next time, and we'll get to 80!"
Newsweek emailed Gaetz's office Tuesday night for comment.
In March, McCarthy spoke about Gaetz's efforts to have him removed as Speaker. He referenced an issue the Florida Republican had with the House Ethics Committee dating to 2021, which alleged that, according to The New York Times, "he engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, shared inappropriate images or videos on the House floor, misused state identification records, converted campaign funds to personal use and accepted impermissible gifts under House rules, among other allegations.
Gaetz has vehemently denied any wrongdoing.
During the Republican National Convention last month in Milwaukee, Gaetz—who is an outspoken backer of Trump—clashed with McCarthy after the Florida Republican tried to provoke his former colleague, tapping McCarthy's shoulder and repeatedly asking, "What night are you speaking? Are you speaking tonight?" Someone in proximity is heard telling Gaetz to "shut up" and "don't be an a**hole."
Gaetz was investigated by the Justice Department for several years as part of a federal sex-trafficking investigation over claims he paid for sex, including with females younger than 18. In February 2023, the department announced it wouldn't be bringing charges against the Florida congressman.
In June, however, the House Ethics Committee announced it was resuming an investigation into Gaetz over claims he "engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, accepted improper gifts, dispensed special privileges and favors to individuals with whom he had a personal relationship, and sought to obstruct government investigations of his conduct."
Gaetz ripped the new investigations against him as "frivolous." He will face Democrat Gay Valimont in November's general election. The district has backed the Republican candidate in the last 15 House elections.
Four years ago, Gaetz won the Republican primary with 80.9 percent of the vote and a total tally of 87,457 votes. In 2016, in his first Republican primary, Gaetz won with just 35.7 percent of the vote in a crowded primary field.
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