PENSACOLA, Florida — The Republican primary for Florida’s 1st Congressional District looks like a rematch between Representative Matt Gaetz and the man he overthrew, former Speaker of the House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy.
No, McCarthy is not on the ballot. But a political committee he controls has spent about $3 million attacking Gaetz with allegations that he paid a minor for sex and used illegal drugs, while also promoting Gaetz’s opponent, former Navy pilot Aaron Dimmock.
It may not be money well spent this election cycle — Gaetz has easily defeated primary opponents since his election as Congressman in one of Florida’s most conservative districts. But ahead of Tuesday’s primary, Gaetz is getting a taste of what he’ll face if he runs for governor in two years, when two-term Gov. Ron DeSantis is up for retirement.
“Kevin McCarthy specifically said the reason he spent millions criticizing me here was to hinder a future race for governor. I’ve said many times that I have no plans to run for governor. I like the job I have,” Gaetz said recently after a campaign rally in Pensacola.
The race has become particularly brutal, with McCarthy’s PAC running ads claiming that “witnesses” say he had sex with a 17-year-old escort during a trip to the Bahamas with a donor and other supporters. “Our daughters are never safe with the real Matt Gaetz,” an announcer says as the ad closes.
Gaetz led a group of eight far-right members of Congress to oust McCarthy last year, throwing the House into weeks of chaos as it tried to replace the fallen speaker. Gaetz is not the only one of the eight targeted by McCarthy, who gave up his California seat after losing the speakership. South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace also survived a primary against an opponent supported by McCarthy.
The The House Committee on Ethics is conducting a long-running investigation into Gaetz’s conduct. The Justice Department also looked into allegations about the trip to the Bahamas. No criminal charges have been filed and Gaetz continues to steadfastly maintain his innocence.
McCarthy said Gaetz prompted the attempt to oust him because McCarthy refused to stop the ethics investigation.
“Matt Gaetz wanted to use me to stop an ethics complaint that started four years ago. Illegal. I’m not going to do it,” McCarthy recently said on “Real Time with Bill Maher.”
Gaetz and his supporters paint Dimmock as a carpetbagger chosen by McCarthy who moved from Missouri to challenge Gaetz. But Dimmock says he has never met McCarthy or spoken to him about the race. And though he recently moved from Missouri and still works remotely as a state employee, he said he is simply returning to an area he first established ties to 28 years ago when he attended Navy flight school.
“My mother and my brother live here. My aunt and uncle live here. Three of our four children were born here,” Dimmock said.
The reason he decided to challenge Gaetz, he said, is because no other Republicans were running and he knew the primary was his only chance to beat the congressman. The winner will face Democrat Gay Valimont in November, but the conservative district typically votes overwhelmingly Republican in general elections.
“I thought a person of character and integrity should enter the race. No local or state current office holder was willing to do that,” Dimmock said. “There’s no way this human being who has repeatedly exhibited behavior over time would get a free pass.”
While Gaetz has his loyal followers, Dimmock says other Republicans are embarrassed by his behavior and the ethics allegations. Gaetz has made a national name for himself by inflaming liberals with partisan rhetoric and his unwavering support for former President Donald Trump.
Dimmock acknowledges that defeating Gaetz will be a challenge in a district where his family is politically powerful. Gaetz’s father is former Senate President Don Gaetz, and the younger Gaetz was previously an influential state representative.
But, he said, voters appreciate his presence in the race.
“They say, ‘Thank you so much for coming on and giving us an alternative. He’s such a disgrace that we absolutely need someone else. How can we help your campaign?'” Dimmock said. “Well, how much? Who knows. But we’ll see.”
Gaetz didn’t seem worried.
“I’ve been subjected to an unprecedented barrage of negative advertising, funded by Kevin McCarthy,” Gaetz said. “I’ll spend more than three times as much, but I’ll win better than twice as much, because the people of Washington, California and Missouri don’t fully understand the connection that I have with the people of Northwest Florida,” Gaetz said.
Like Trump, the congressman’s loyal supporters are ignoring the allegations leveled against him.
“Dimmock is funded by McCarthy and it’s just dirty politics. Gaetz just talks about the issues,” said Jill Torkelson, 61, wearing a Make America Great Again hat at his campaign event in Pensacola. “There’s definitely a blood feud. I just don’t trust McCarthy as far as I can throw him.”