GOP leaders raise alarm bells over a Florida special election in a deep-red district
Source: NBC News
March 24, 2025, 6:34 PM EDT
Republican leaders have grown privately alarmed about the massive fundraising disparity their candidate, Randy Fine, faces in a special House election in a deep-red Florida district and have swooped in to help resuscitate his campaign at the eleventh hour.
House GOP leaders have in recent days been calling donors to plead for financial help in the race to fill the seat previously held by Mike Waltz, who is now President Donald Trump's national security adviser, according to two sources with knowledge of the matter. In addition, Fine, a state senator, has made personal pleas to Florida-based lobbyists and donors for a quick infusion of cash before the April 1 election, according to two sources familiar with those conversations.
While party leaders in Washington and Florida are ultimately confident that Fine will pull off a victory, Republicans say they’re frustrated that they need to intervene in a district that Trump won by 30 points last year. Rep. Richard Hudson, R-N.C., who leads the House GOP’s campaign arm, said Fine “needs to do better” on his fundraising. But Hudson was confident Republicans would hold on to the seat and said he didn’t expect the National Republican Congressional Committee to spend in the race.
“I would have preferred if our candidate had raised money at a faster rate and gotten on TV quicker,” Hudson told reporters Monday. “But he’s doing what he needs to do. He’s on TV now. We’re going to win the seat. I’m not concerned at all.” Fine’s campaign didn’t respond to a request for comment.
Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/gop-leaders-raise-alarm-bells-florida-special-election-red-district-rcna197871
It will all come down to turnout as we have had many good (D)s far out-raise (R)s yet lose anyway. These FL districts are tough but I still say it may help as an indicator for enthusiasm and whether any unaffiliateds are willing to drop (R) support.
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