Florida Republican launches bid for Waltz's seat after Trump endorsement

Florida state Sen. Randy Fine (R) announced his run for Rep. Mike Waltz’s (R-Fla.) congressional seat this week following President-elect Trump’s endorsement.

“I’m proud to announce that I’m going to be running for for the 6th Congressional District of the state of Florida,” Fine told Fox News on Tuesday. “Whether it’s fighting inflation to make America affordable again, closing the border to make America safe again, or standing up for Israel and standing up to China, I’m ready to go.”

“Mr. President, [God] saved you on that day in Butler so that you could save the world. It would be the honor of my life to be one of your footsoldiers. Your confidence is overwhelming and I will have news to share soon!” Fine wrote Monday in a post on the social platform X.

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Trump called on Fine to run for Waltz’s seat earlier Monday, saying Fine would have his “complete and total endorsement” if he decided to run.

A source told The Hill on Monday that Waltz, who is set to serve as Trump’s national security adviser, will resign his seat on Jan. 20, the same day as Trump’s inauguration. On Monday, Florida’s secretary of state announced that a primary election for the seat will take place on Jan. 28 and the special general election will take place on April 1.

The district has a strong conservative lean and stretches along Florida’s east coast from southern Jacksonville to the Daytona Beach area.

The Florida lawmaker has served in the state House since 2016 and just won election to the 19th state Senate district, which is further south and includes Brevard County.

Fine is known for his staunch pro-Israel views and is the only Jewish Republican serving in the state Legislature.

He made waves during the 2024 Republican presidential primary when he became the first Florida lawmaker to switch his endorsement from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to Trump. Fine said he switched his endorsement from DeSantis to Trump because he argued that Trump’s actions demonstrated his support for the Jewish community.

“Donald Trump didn’t just talk about moving the embassy. He did it. Donald Trump didn’t just talk about Israeli security. He green-lit them annexing the Golan,” he said. “Donald Trump didn’t just talk about peace. He signed the Abraham Accords. He deserved a Nobel Peace Prize for it.”

DeSantis’s team hit back following Fine’s switch, calling it “political theater.”