Matt Gaetz, the Republican representative from Florida's 1st congressional district, is facing a primary challenge today, marking the culmination of a months-long effort by former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to unseat Republicans who contributed to his removal last year.
Gaetz, who has been serving in the House since 2017, led a group of seven other Republicans in collaborating with Democrats to remove McCarthy in October 2023, an unprecedented move that exacerbated internal conflicts within the GOP. Since then, Gaetz has remained a divisive figure within the party, campaigning against fellow Republicans despite the new Speaker Mike Johnson's disapproval.
The Florida representative's sole opponent in the primary is Aaron Dimmock, a retired Navy officer. Gaetz has criticized Dimmock's background in diversity training and emphasized his own alignment with former President Donald Trump. In campaign advertisements, Gaetz has declared, "This is Donald Trump's party, and I'm a Donald Trump Republican."
Dimmock and his supporters have raised concerns about allegations against Gaetz, despite the Justice Department's decision not to press charges in 2023. The House Ethics Committee is continuing its investigation into the matter.
In terms of fundraising, Gaetz has significantly outperformed Dimmock, raising $5.7 million through July 2024. However, Dimmock has received support from Florida Patriots PAC, which has invested over $3 million in the contest.
The Florida primary also features a Senate race that is expected to confirm a November matchup between incumbent Senator Rick Scott and former congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell. This contest is viewed as one of the Democrats' most viable opportunities to gain a Senate seat, alongside the race in Texas.
"We have a shot to pick up Florida or Texas. I believe that's real."
The Florida Senate race occurs against the backdrop of the state's recent rightward shift, with Trump winning Florida in both 2016 and 2020, and Governor Ron DeSantis securing a landslide reelection in 2022.
In Alaska, voters are participating in a primary for the state's at-large House seat, currently held by Democratic Representative Mary Peltola. Alaska employs a unique primary system where all candidates appear on the same ballot, regardless of party affiliation, with the top four advancing to a general election that uses ranked-choice voting.
Peltola, who has been serving since 2022, is considered one of the most vulnerable House Democrats. She faces 11 other candidates, including four Republicans. The most prominent GOP contenders are Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom, endorsed by Trump, and Nick Begich, a businessman from a family of Democratic elected officials.
As these primaries unfold, they reflect the ongoing dynamics within both major parties and set the stage for crucial contests in the upcoming November elections.