Overview and Live Results: Florida Congressional Special Elections

Several high profile races highlight a busy Tuesday on the election calendar. The most important of these will determine the ideological lean of the Wisconsin Supreme Court for at least the next year. However, interest in two Florida congressional special elections - results on this page - has grown as the races have grown more competitive than expected.

Wisconsin Supreme Court Election >

There is also a primary for Omaha mayor and several legislative special elections. 

Florida Congressional Special Elections 

Republicans hold a 218-213 edge in the U.S. House of Representatives. Two of the four vacancies,  both in Florida, will be filled Tuesday.

Neither of these races was expected to be competitive. Both departing incumbents won by over 30% margin in 2024, reflecting their status as among the more conservative districts in the state. However, both parties anticipate closer outcomes in these special elections, with a flip in District 6 not entirely off the table.

Polls close at 7:00 PM Eastern in District 6; 8:00 PM Eastern in the Central Time Zone based District 1. 

District 6

Republican Mike Waltz resigned on January 20 to become President Donald Trump's national security adviser, a career move that isn't looking great at this point. The party nominated State Sen. Randy Fine, while Democrats selected Josh Weil, a teacher. 

This race has turned unexpectedly competitive, with Weil far outraising Fine as of mid-March. Fine self-funded an additional $600,000 in recent days to bridge some of that gap. 

A March 25 poll from St. Pete Polls showed Fine leading by 48% to 44%, within the margin of error. A internal survey by GOP pollster Fabrizio Ward actually showed Weil leading by three points, although that was likely also within the margin of error.

Republican leaders and media figures have gotten more active in the final week, highlighted by a tele-town hall with Trump this past Thursday.

While enthusiasm is high for Democrats, it is worth noting the difficult math here: Waltz had almost twice as many votes as his Democratic challenger this past November.

Concern around this election seems to have been at least partially responsible Trump's decision to pull the nomination of Elise Stefanik (NY-21) as U.N. Ambassador.

District 1

Republican Matt Gaetz resigned in November, after Trump nominated him as Attorney General. Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration later in the month, and he did not seek to serve in the new Congress that started in January. 

Republicans nominated Jimmy Patronis, the Chief Financial Officer of Florida. Democrats chose Gay Valimont, who Gaetz beat by 32% margin in November. Valimont has outraised Patronis, who expressed concern about the race this past weekend.