OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla., Jan. 16, 2025–Elections have been set to fill the vacancy of the office of U.S. Representative for District 1 following Rep. Matt Gaetz’s (R) resignation in November.

A special primary election for Republican registered voters in District 1 only is scheduled for Jan. 28. A special election between Republican, Democrat, write-in and non-party candidates running for the seat is scheduled for April 1.

Gaetz, who had been a member of the U.S. House of Representatives since 2016, resigned his seat Nov. 16 upon his nomination by incoming President Donald Trump for U.S. Attorney General. After withdrawing his nomination, Gaetz, who was still eligible to retain his House of Representatives seat, decided not to return to it.

Only one Democrat qualified for the election later this month, as did four write-in candidates and one non-party candidate. However, the January election will only feature Republican candidates. Write-in and non-party affiliated candidates will run against the Democrat candidate and whoever wins the Republican ticket in the April 1 special election.

Because Florida is a closed primary state, in a nominating election such as the Jan. 28 special primary, only members of that party are eligible to vote in their respective primary elections. This race will only appear on ballots for voters who are registered Republicans.

Election Day: Jan. 28, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
Voters must vote in the precinct they where they live.

Early voting: Jan. 18-25, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Voters may vote at any early voting location in Okaloosa County.

North county early voting locations:

• Crestview Public Library
• Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections office in Crestview

Republican candidates:

• Aaron Dimmock
• Kevin J. Gaffney
• Jeff Macey
• Greg Merk
• John Mills
• Jimmy Patronis
• Jeff Peacock
• Joel Ruman
• Michael Dylan Thompson
• Gene Valentino