Florida special elections gay

Who is Gay Valimont? Democrat seeks to shock political earth in April 1 special election

Gay Valimont is hoping to do something in the special election on April 1 that no Democrat has done in Northwest Florida in 33 years – win an election to Congress.

Valimont is the Democratic candidate in the exceptional election to stuff the seat vacated by U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz when he resigned as part of his failed bid to become U.S. Attorney General.

Valimont has touted unprecedented fundraising numbers for a Democratic candidate in the most conservative area of Florida thanks to national outcry from Democrats at the actions of President Donald Trump's new administration.

Who is Gay Valimont?

Valimont decided to enter the 2024 race against Matt Gaetz for Congress after the tragic loss of both her husband and her 9-year-old son just seven months apart. Her husband, Brian, was diagnosed with ALS, and her son, Eli, was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumor. Eli died in September 2021 at 9 years old, and Brian died in April 2022 at the age of 45.

Meet the Valimonts: ‘Take every moment and love each other’: Family shares lessons through ALS, tumor diagnoses

Valimont was born and raised in Tho

Fundraising reports from Democrat Gay Valimont confirm she raised nearly $6.5 million to run in a Special Election for Florida’s 1st Congressional District.

The massive amount dwarfs the $1.6 million she raised when she challenged and lost to former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz last year. With Gaetz since resigned, she now faces Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis in an April 1 Special Election in Florida’s 1st Congressional District.

Based on voter registration data in the district, Patronis should enter the contest as a favorite. However, Valimont’s numbers show she collected more than three times what Patronis reported through the last fundraising period, which ended on March 12.

Her FEC filings show Valimont calm nearly $6.4 million just since Jan. 9. The donations show up from across the country as Democrats nationally look to convey outrage at President Donald Trump’s policies since his return to office.

“This is showing how people are not super happy with what’s going on right now, and especially in this district,” said Katherine Jackson, Valimont’s Communications Director. ” We hear from veterans and federal w

Democrats

April 1, 2025

Following tonight’s election results in Florida’s 1st Congressional District, where Democratic Gay Valimont had the best performance from a Democrat in Florida’s 1st Congressional District this century, DNC Chair Ken Martin released the following statement:

“Congratulations to Gay Valimont on running a strong campaign that will make a difference for Florida’s 1st Congressional District for years to come. Her huge overperformance in a Trump +37 district is the best performance for Democrats in the district this century and spells trouble for Republicans everywhere. Valimont made critical inroads in this deeply red district and showed Republicans that, even in a place Trump won by nearly 40 points, this seat would not be handed to them. I express gratitude Gay Valimont for her leadership and for once again stepping up to run in a tough district. Make no mistake: The momentum is on our side. Democrats own overperformed in 15 out of 16 special elections this year. Democrats are going to keep winning races and – ultimately – take back the House next year.”

Democrat Lgbtq+ Valimont is the latest Democrat to overperform in a special election in 2025. Ea

Florida Republicans hang onto Matt Gaetz's former House seat in special election

WASHINGTON - Florida Republican Jimmy Patronis beat Democrat Gay Valimont in Tuesday’s special election to fill a former Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz's Residence of Representatives seat, a critical conquer for President Donald Trump and the GOP given their narrow majorities on Capitol Hill. The race was called by the New York Times and CNN just an hour after both outlets called former Republican Rep. Mike Waltz's seat, also in Florida, for Republican Randy Fine.

Gaetz had resigned from Congress in November last year after President Donald Trump had nominated him to serve as attorney general, prompting Patronis to launch a bid for his seat. Gaetz represented Florida's red leaning first congressional district, which encompasses the western-most part of Florida’s panhandle, including Pensacola and Destin.

Though Patronis was favored to win the race, there were reportedly some concerns among GOP officials due to Valimont’s high fundraising figures. She had raised nearly $6.5 million through March 12, according to facts from the Federal Election Commission, while Patronis has raised a little over $2.1 million.