Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., is facing a primary challenge from a candidate backed by former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., in Tuesday's primary, the final stop on what's being branded as McCarthy's "revenge tour." Gaetz is expected to win the race in Florida's deep red 1st Congressional district against Navy veteran Aaron Dimmock, despite efforts by a McCarthy-allied super PAC to oust the incumbent.
Gaetz was the ringleader last October when he and seven other House Republicans collaborated with Democrats to remove McCarthy as House speaker, an unprecedented move that has heightened tensions within the party. Gaetz is the final member of the anti-McCarthy caucus seeking reelection in a primary this year.
Of the three candidates facing primary opponents, only Rep. Bob Good, R-Va., lost after former President Donald Trump endorsed his opponent. Two decided not to seek reelection, while two others ran unopposed.
Florida Patriots PAC, reportedly allied with McCarthy, has spent $3.5 million on ads ripping Gaetz over a House investigation into his alleged drug use and sexual misconduct. Gaetz adamantly denies the allegations, citing the Justice Department's decision not to bring charges. But the House Ethics Committee confirmed in June it had reopened a new probe against the Florida Republican. Gaetz called the effort "frivolous."
While McCarthy has acknowledged that Gaetz is heavily favored to win his primary, McCarthy told reporters at the Republican National Convention last month, "I don't think he'll ever be able to run for governor like he wants to."
Kate McManus ✉
Kate McManus is a New Jersey-based Newsmax writer who's spent more than two decades as a journalist.