Republican Randy Fine secured victory over Democrat Tom Weil, retaining the congressional seat vacated by Mike Waltz after he became President Trump’s national security adviser.
Despite being outspent nearly tenfold—Weil’s campaign raised a staggering $9 million compared to Fine’s $1 million—Republicans managed to hold firm in a district that overwhelmingly backed Trump in 2024.
Concerns had mounted among GOP operatives in recent weeks about Fine’s ability to counter Weil’s financial advantage, with some fearing an embarrassing upset early in Trump’s administration.
Democrats had hoped that voter dissatisfaction with Trump’s sweeping federal government overhaul would drive turnout in their favor, but the anticipated backlash never materialized at the scale needed to flip the traditionally Republican seat.
While national leaders praised Weil’s fundraising prowess, it ultimately proved insufficient against the district’s deep red leanings.
Fine, a staunch conservative and longtime Florida legislator, has built his political brand on unwavering support for Israel and efforts to enact restrictions on LGBTQ+ rights.
First elected to the Florida House in 2016, he served multiple terms before moving to the state Senate in 2024. His victory in this congressional race further solidifies his influence within the Republican Party.
With this win, the GOP avoids an early electoral setback, reinforcing its dominance in a district where Trump won by more than 30 points. Meanwhile, Democrats are left reassessing their strategy after failing to translate financial firepower into electoral success.
