Matt Gaetz has a challenger in the primary supported by McCarthy’s revenge campaign.

Welcome to the latest political showdown in Florida’s 1st Congressional District, where Rep. Matt Gaetz is facing off against a primary challenger linked to former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. This high-stakes battle is the culmination of a feud that began last year when Gaetz led the charge to oust McCarthy from the speakership, making history in the process. Now, Gaetz is fighting to hold onto his seat in Congress against all odds.

Last fall, after a motion to vacate the speakership was initiated by Gaetz and supported by all Democrats, McCarthy was ousted from his role. Frustrations over his strategies to avoid a government shutdown led to this unprecedented turn of events. Following his removal, McCarthy eventually resigned from the chamber, leaving a void in leadership within the GOP.

This primary election is not just a battle between Gaetz and his challenger Aaron Dimmock; it’s also part of McCarthy’s so-called revenge tour against those who opposed him. Earlier this year, Rep. Bob Good, another supporter of Gaetz’ efforts, lost his primary to a McCarthy-aligned contender. However, not all challenges have ended in victory for the former speaker, with Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina surviving her own McCarthy-backed primary battle in June.

Throughout this ongoing conflict, McCarthy has targeted Gaetz with a barrage of negative advertisements, highlighting allegations against him, including accusations of paying a minor for sex. Despite the Justice Department declining to press charges after investigating these claims, the House Ethics Committee recently stated that some allegations against Gaetz warrant further scrutiny.

McCarthy has attributed his ouster to personal grievances held by Gaetz, insinuating that the move was retaliation for allowing the ethics investigation against him to proceed. This contentious relationship was vividly displayed during the Republican National Convention, where Gaetz publicly heckled McCarthy, only to be met with silence.

Despite the mounting challenges, Gaetz remains a strong contender in the race and is expected to secure the GOP nomination on Tuesday. His close ties to former President Donald Trump have bolstered his standing in the solidly red district, positioning him as a favorite for victory in the general election in November.

While Gaetz has been rumored to have ambitions for the Florida governor’s office in 2026, he recently quashed these rumors in a social media post. Claiming to be content in his current role and eager to support President Trump’s agenda in Washington, Gaetz dismissed any plans for a gubernatorial run for now.

As the political drama unfolds in Florida’s 1st Congressional District, all eyes are on the outcome of this fiercely contested race that holds implications for the future of both Gaetz and McCarthy. Stay tuned for the results of this pivotal election that could shape the landscape of Florida politics for years to come.