Jimmy Patronis
Jimmy Patronis served as Florida's Chief Financial Officer before winning the April 1, 2025 special election to replace Matt Gaetz in the 1st District, defeating Gay Valimont 57% to 42%. He won the Aug. 18, 2026 Republican primary over Douglas Chico and John Frankman with roughly 72-75% of the vote (unofficial), setting up a November rematch with Valimont. He was endorsed by President Trump for the 2026 race. In the House he voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and the SAVE Act (Florida's Voice; congress.gov).
How they got on the ballot: Won Aug 18, 2026 Republican primary with ~72-75% over Douglas Chico and John Frankman (WEAR-TV: https://weartv.com/news/local/patronis-wins-florida-district-1-primary-sets-up-rematch-with-valimont ; WJHG: https://www.wjhg.com/2026/08/19/2026-florida-primary-election-patronis-heads-november-ballot-facing-valimont/)
Positions on the major issues
Compare with opponents →Each entry describes what the candidate has said or done, and what they say they will do, in neutral terms with sources. The chip shows how that relates to the statement voters rate in the matching tool.
Taxes & spending Strongly agrees· based on record
Voted for H.R. 1 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act) in 2025, which extended the 2017 individual tax cuts and created new deductions (tips, overtime) while reducing projected federal spending on Medicaid and SNAP. In his statement he said the bill would 'cement into law tax cuts for Americans across the board' and praised the elimination of federal income tax on tips and overtime.
"will cement into law tax cuts for Americans across the board, hold the federal government accountable through fiscal responsibility, strengthen our borders to keep Americans safe"
Immigration Strongly agrees· based on record
Voted for H.R. 1 (2025), which his office described as securing the border with $175 billion, 'the largest border security investment in history'; also voted for the SAVE Act. Mid Bay News reported he defended the administration's border-enforcement positions in interviews but declined follow-up questions about due-process criticisms.
Health care Strongly disagrees· stated position
In a July 2025 WEAR-TV interview cited by Mid Bay News, Patronis defended Florida's decision not to expand Medicaid, saying the program must stay focused on 'seniors, disabled, women, children' and that 'waste, fraud, and abuse' threatens its viability. He voted for H.R. 1, which added Medicaid work-reporting requirements.
"seniors, disabled, women, children"
Elections & voting Leans disagree· based on record
Voted for H.R. 22, the SAVE Act (April 2025), which would require documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections; coded as supporting a new voting requirement rather than easing access.
Energy & utilities Strongly disagrees· based on record
Voted for H.R. 1 (2025), which phased out most Inflation Reduction Act clean-energy tax credits and expanded oil and gas leasing.
Tariffs & trade Strongly agrees· stated position
In his statement after the 2026 State of the Union, Patronis said he backs 'pro-American tariffs' to revitalize domestic industry.
Trump administration Strongly agrees· stated position
Received President Trump's 'Complete and Total Endorsement' for 2026 and has issued statements praising the administration's agenda, including thanking the President for 'holding Big Tech accountable' and calling H.R. 1 a 'Big, Beautiful Victory for America.'
No public position found on 10 issues
We searched campaign sites, questionnaires, interviews, votes and official actions and did not find a clear stance on: Housing affordability, Abortion, Guns, Social Security & Medicare, Education & school choice, Environment & water, Crime & policing, Gender identity laws, Ukraine, Veterans. This is reported as unknown rather than guessed from party affiliation; these issues are excluded from this candidate's match score.
Other issues this candidate has raised
- Big Tech and data centers — Thanked President Trump for 'holding Big Tech accountable' and for protecting electricity ratepayers from subsidizing data centers; discussed Big Tech in a Mid Bay News interview.
- Special Operations relocation — Demanded answers from the Pentagon about a possible relocation of special-operations units from the Emerald Coast.
- F-35 program, housing and daycare near bases — As a candidate, discussed support for the F-35 program at Eglin and addressed affordable housing and daycare shortages for military families in Niceville.
- No tax on tips and overtime — Highlighted, as a former restaurateur, the H.R. 1 provisions eliminating federal income tax on tips and overtime pay.
- Veterans — Maintains an official veterans issue page; specific proposals were not captured in searches.
Record: votes, actions and documented facts
- Won April 2025 special election for FL-1 with 57% over Gay Valimont (42%).
- Voted for H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (House passage May 22, 2025; final passage July 3, 2025, 218-214).
- Voted for H.R. 22, the SAVE Act (April 10, 2025, 220-208), requiring documentary proof of citizenship for federal voter registration.
- Mid Bay News (Oct. 7, 2025) reported that his office declined follow-up questions on health care, immigration enforcement and congressional transparency, and that he did not join Republican colleagues in signing the discharge petition to force a vote on releasing Jeffrey Epstein-related records.
- Patronis was not among the 18 House Republicans listed as voting for the June 4, 2026 Ukraine aid and Russia sanctions bill, which passed 226-195 over the objections of House GOP leadership and the Trump administration (individual 'no' vs. 'not voting' status not confirmed in searches).
- Voted for H.R. 1 (2025), the budget reconciliation law that extended the 2017 tax cuts, added Medicaid work requirements, reduced clean-energy tax credits and funded expanded immigration enforcement.
Endorsements (as reported)
- President Donald Trump ('Complete and Total Endorsement', 2026)