2025 Florida's 6th congressional district special election

2025 Florida's 6th congressional district special election
Florida's 6th congressional district
	County results; Fine: 50–60% 60–70%
U.S. Representative before election; Mike Waltz; Republican	Elected U.S. Representative ; Randy Fine; Republican

The 2025 Florida's 6th congressional district special election was held on April 1, 2025, to choose a new member of the U.S. House of Representatives.^[1] The seat became vacant following the resignation of Republican incumbent Mike Waltz, who in 2024 had been re-elected with 66.5% of the vote, but was chosen by President Donald Trump to be his White House national security advisor.^[2] The district is considered a safely Republican.

Florida state senator Randy Fine won the Republican primary with 83% of the vote, defeating Aaron Baker and Ehsan Joarder. Progressive Schoolteacher Josh Weil won the Democratic primary with 61%, defeating Ges Selmont.^[3]^[4] In the general election campaign, Weil outraised Fine by $10 million to under $1 million.^[5]

In the April 1 general election, Fine defeated Weil by 14 percentage points^[6]^[7] though he won by significantly less margins than Trump and Waltz had in the 2024 elections. The election was held alongside a concurrent special election for Florida's 1st congressional district.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

Randy Fine, former state senator from the 19th district (2024–2025)^[8]

Eliminated in primary

Aaron Baker^[9]
Ehsan Joarder, IT specialist and candidate for the 14th district in 2024^[9]

Withdrawn

Ernest Audino, district director for incumbent Michael Waltz^[10]
Joe Mullins, former Flagler County commissioner (endorsed Fine)^[10]
Steve Rance, Air Force veteran (endorsed Fine)^[11]

Declined

Tom Leek, state senator from the 7th district (2024–present)^[12]
Anthony Sabatini, Lake County commissioner (2024–present), chair of the Lake County Republican Party (2022–present), and candidate for the 7th district in 2022 and the 11th district in 2024^[13]
Ted Yoho, former U.S. representative from Florida's 3rd congressional district (2013–2021)^[14]

Endorsements

Randy Fine

Executive branch officials

Donald Trump, 45th and 47th president of the United States (2017–2021, 2025–present)^[15]
Mike Waltz, U.S. national security advisor (2025–present) and former U.S. representative from Florida's 6th congressional district (2019–2025)^[16]

U.S. senators

Rick Scott, U.S. senator from Florida (2019–present)^[17]

U.S. representatives

Tom Emmer, House Majority Whip (2023–present) from Minnesota's 6th congressional district (2015–present)^[17]
Mike Johnson, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives (2023–present) from Louisiana's 4th congressional district (2017–present)^[17]
Steve Scalise, House majority leader (2023–present) from Louisiana's 1st congressional district (2008–present)^[17]

Organizations

Results

Republican primary results^[19]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Randy Fine	33,901	83.0
	Republican	Aaron Baker	5,735	14.0
	Republican	Ehsan Joarder	1,201	2.9
Total votes			40,837	100.0

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

Josh Weil, teacher and candidate for U.S. senate in 2022^[20]

Eliminated in primary

Ges Selmont, attorney and nominee for the 4th district in 2018^[9]

Withdrawn

Purvi Bangdiwala, pharmacist^[21]

Results

Democratic primary results^[19]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Josh Weil	9,721	60.7
	Democratic	Ges Selmont	6,283	39.3
Total votes			16,004	100.0

Third parties and independents

Libertarian Party

Nominee

Andrew Parrott, welder^[9]

Independents

Declared

Randall Terry, author, perennial candidate, and Constitution Party nominee for president in 2024^[22]

Write-in candidates

Declared

Chuck Sheridan, general contractor and Republican candidate for state senate in 2024^[9]

General election

Endorsements

Randy Fine (R)

Organizations

Josh Weil (D)

U.S. senators

Bernie Sanders, U.S. senator from Vermont (2007–present) (Independent)^[25]

Party officials

Nikki Fried, chair of the Florida Democratic Party (2023–present)^[26]
Ken Martin, chair of the Democratic National Committee (2025–present)^[27]

Individuals

Organizations

Orlando Sentinel^[30]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size^[a]	Margin of error	Randy Fine (R)	Josh Weil (D)	Other	Undecided
Fabrizio Ward (R)^[31]^[A]	March 28, 2025	–	–	41%	44%	5%	10%
St. Pete Polls^[33]^[B]	March 22–25, 2025	403 (LV)	± 4.9%	48%	44%	2%^[b]	6%

Fundraising

Campaign finance reports as of March 12, 2025
Candidate	Raised	Spent	Cash on hand
Randy Fine (R)	$987,459	$894,765	$92,693
Josh Weil (D)	$9,491,734	$8,210,682	$1,281,051
Source: Federal Election Commission^[34]

Results

2025 Florida's 6th congressional district special election
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Randy Fine	110,764	56.66%	−9.87%
	Democratic	Josh Weil	83,485	42.71%	+9.24%
	Libertarian	Andrew Parrott	701	0.36%	N/A
	Independent	Randall Terry	525	0.27%	N/A
Total votes			195,475	100.0%
	Republican hold

Notes

^ Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear
^ "Someone else" with 2%

Partisan clients

^ The poll was a GOP poll that had been conducted by Fabrizio Ward in late March.^[32]
^ Poll sponsored by Florida Politics

References

^ "Special elections set for U.S. Rep. Mike Waltz's seat in Florida". CBS News. November 25, 2024. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
^ Schnell, Mychael (January 20, 2025). "Waltz resigns from House to take on Trump national security role". The Hill. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
^ Leonard, Kimberly (April 2, 2025). "'He repels people': DeSantis tears into Fine after Florida special election underperformance". POLITICO. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
^ "Florida Sixth Congressional District Special Primary Election Results," The New York Times.
^ "Trump-backed Randy Fine elected to Congress in tense Florida special election ," Politico.
^ "Florida Sixth District Special Election Results," The New York Times.
^ "Florida Republican defeats Democrat in US House special election". BBC. April 1, 2025. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
^ Lemongello, Stephen (November 26, 2024). "GOP firebrand Randy Fine running for Congress after Trump endorsement". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Ogles, Jacob (December 7, 2024). "Nine candidates qualify for race to replace Mike Waltz in CD 6". Florida Politics. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
^ ^a ^b Gollon, Chris (November 30, 2024). "Joe Mullins Drops Congressional Bid as Trump Endorses Randy Fine". AskFlagler. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
^ Harper, Mark (November 27, 2024). "Trump endorsement of Randy Fine for Florida's 6th District sends other Republicans packing". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
^ Wilson, Drew (November 13, 2024). "Tom Leek committed to serving in Florida Senate, will not run for Congress". Florida Politics. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
^ Ogles, Jacob (November 26, 2024). "Anthony Sabatini won't run in CD 6 Special Election". Florida Politics. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
^ Harper, Mark (November 21, 2024). "Calling it 'year of the comeback,' Trump supporter Joe Mullins announces run for Congress". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Retrieved November 22, 2024. Former Congressman Ted Yoho...told The News-Journal on Thursday that he had initially considered running, but had decided against it.
^ Gancarski, A.G. (November 23, 2024). "Donald Trump backs Randy Fine as replacement for Mike Waltz in CD 6". Florida Politics. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
^ Gancarski, A.G. (January 17, 2025). "Mike Waltz backs Randy Fine as CD 6 replacement". Florida Politics. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Ogles, Jacob (November 26, 2024). "Rick Scott, Mike Johnson endorse Randy Fine for Congress". Florida Politics. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
^ Kornbluh, Jacob (March 27, 2025). "A Jewish Republican and Muslim Democrat are suddenly in a tight race for a special seat in Congress". The Forward. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
^ ^a ^b "Florida Sixth Congressional District Special Primary Election Results". The New York Times. January 28, 2025. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
^ Harper, Mark (December 3, 2024). "Osceola teacher runs as Democrat in special U.S. House election in Florida's 6th". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
^ Harper, Mark (December 27, 2024). "Candidate for Florida's 6th District who swore she was a Democrat but isn't withdraws". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
^ Gancarski, A.G. (November 21, 2024). "Former presidential candidate runs to succeed Mike Waltz in Congress". Florida Politics. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
^ "Florida Small Businesses Endorse Randy Fine for Election to Congress". National Federation of Independent Business. March 20, 2025. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
^ "U.S. Chamber Endorses Candidate Randy Fine for Florida's 6th Congressional District". United States Chamber of Commerce. March 25, 2025. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
^ Manchester, Julia (March 28, 2025). "Sanders endorses Democrat in contested Florida special House race". The Hill. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
^ Ogles, Jacob (March 27, 2025). "DNC Chair Ken Martin to campaign for Josh Weil ahead of CD 6 Special Election". Florida Politics. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
^ Ogles, Jacob (March 27, 2025). "DNC Chair Ken Martin to campaign for Josh Weil ahead of CD 6 Special Election". Florida Politics. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
^ ^a ^b Harper, Mark (March 28, 2025). "Shaboozey not joining Killer Mike to support Democratic congressional candidate in DeLand". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
^ "Hip-hop star Killer Mike endorses Democrat Josh Weil in April 1 Florida Congress election". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
^ "Editorial: For Congressional District 6, Josh Weil has the right answers". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved March 26, 2025. The Orlando Sentinel endorses Josh Weil for Congressional District 6.
^ Weisz, Zac (March 27, 2025). "Chain reaction: Why Trump pulled Stefanik's UN nomination". GZERO. Retrieved March 28, 2025. Eye on the poll: An internal Republican poll from March has Weil leading Fine 44% to 41%, according to a source familiar with the race, with 10% undecided.
^ Howard, Andrew; Mutnick, Ally; Jacobs, Ben (March 28, 2025). "Stefanik's withdrawal suggests Republicans are sweating their thin margins". Politico.
^ Florell, Matt (March 26, 2025). "Florida U.S. Congressional District 6 Special Election survey conducted for FloridaPolitics.com" (PDF). St. Pete Polls. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
^ "Florida - House District 06". fec.gov. Federal Election Commission. Retrieved March 28, 2025.

External links

Official campaign websites

[Key-31] Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear

[37] "Someone else" with 2%

[34] The poll was a GOP poll that had been conducted by Fabrizio Ward in late March.^[32]

[36] Poll sponsored by Florida Politics

[1] "Special elections set for U.S. Rep. Mike Waltz's seat in Florida". CBS News. November 25, 2024. Retrieved November 25, 2024.

[2] Schnell, Mychael (January 20, 2025). "Waltz resigns from House to take on Trump national security role". The Hill. Retrieved January 20, 2025.

[3] Leonard, Kimberly (April 2, 2025). "'He repels people': DeSantis tears into Fine after Florida special election underperformance". POLITICO. Retrieved April 2, 2025.

[4] "Florida Sixth Congressional District Special Primary Election Results," The New York Times.

[5] "Trump-backed Randy Fine elected to Congress in tense Florida special election ," Politico.

[6] "Florida Sixth District Special Election Results," The New York Times.

[7] "Florida Republican defeats Democrat in US House special election". BBC. April 1, 2025. Retrieved April 2, 2025.

[8] Lemongello, Stephen (November 26, 2024). "GOP firebrand Randy Fine running for Congress after Trump endorsement". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved November 26, 2024.

[Qualified-9] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Ogles, Jacob (December 7, 2024). "Nine candidates qualify for race to replace Mike Waltz in CD 6". Florida Politics. Retrieved December 7, 2024.

[:0-10] Gollon, Chris (November 30, 2024). "Joe Mullins Drops Congressional Bid as Trump Endorses Randy Fine". AskFlagler. Retrieved November 30, 2024.

[11] Harper, Mark (November 27, 2024). "Trump endorsement of Randy Fine for Florida's 6th District sends other Republicans packing". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Retrieved December 3, 2024.

[12] Wilson, Drew (November 13, 2024). "Tom Leek committed to serving in Florida Senate, will not run for Congress". Florida Politics. Retrieved November 14, 2024.

[13] Ogles, Jacob (November 26, 2024). "Anthony Sabatini won't run in CD 6 Special Election". Florida Politics. Retrieved November 26, 2024.

[comeback-14] Harper, Mark (November 21, 2024). "Calling it 'year of the comeback,' Trump supporter Joe Mullins announces run for Congress". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Retrieved November 22, 2024. Former Congressman Ted Yoho...told The News-Journal on Thursday that he had initially considered running, but had decided against it.

[15] Gancarski, A.G. (November 23, 2024). "Donald Trump backs Randy Fine as replacement for Mike Waltz in CD 6". Florida Politics. Retrieved November 24, 2024.

[16] Gancarski, A.G. (January 17, 2025). "Mike Waltz backs Randy Fine as CD 6 replacement". Florida Politics. Retrieved January 21, 2025.

[Scott-17] Ogles, Jacob (November 26, 2024). "Rick Scott, Mike Johnson endorse Randy Fine for Congress". Florida Politics. Retrieved November 26, 2024.

[18] Kornbluh, Jacob (March 27, 2025). "A Jewish Republican and Muslim Democrat are suddenly in a tight race for a special seat in Congress". The Forward. Retrieved March 28, 2025.

[primaryresults-19] "Florida Sixth Congressional District Special Primary Election Results". The New York Times. January 28, 2025. Retrieved January 28, 2025.

[20] Harper, Mark (December 3, 2024). "Osceola teacher runs as Democrat in special U.S. House election in Florida's 6th". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Retrieved December 6, 2024.

[21] Harper, Mark (December 27, 2024). "Candidate for Florida's 6th District who swore she was a Democrat but isn't withdraws". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Retrieved January 1, 2025.

[22] Gancarski, A.G. (November 21, 2024). "Former presidential candidate runs to succeed Mike Waltz in Congress". Florida Politics. Retrieved November 21, 2024.

[23] "Florida Small Businesses Endorse Randy Fine for Election to Congress". National Federation of Independent Business. March 20, 2025. Retrieved March 31, 2025.

[24] "U.S. Chamber Endorses Candidate Randy Fine for Florida's 6th Congressional District". United States Chamber of Commerce. March 25, 2025. Retrieved March 31, 2025.

[25] Manchester, Julia (March 28, 2025). "Sanders endorses Democrat in contested Florida special House race". The Hill. Retrieved March 28, 2025.

[26] Ogles, Jacob (March 27, 2025). "DNC Chair Ken Martin to campaign for Josh Weil ahead of CD 6 Special Election". Florida Politics. Retrieved March 27, 2025.

[27] Ogles, Jacob (March 27, 2025). "DNC Chair Ken Martin to campaign for Josh Weil ahead of CD 6 Special Election". Florida Politics. Retrieved March 27, 2025.

[Celebrity-28] Harper, Mark (March 28, 2025). "Shaboozey not joining Killer Mike to support Democratic congressional candidate in DeLand". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Retrieved March 28, 2025.

[29] "Hip-hop star Killer Mike endorses Democrat Josh Weil in April 1 Florida Congress election". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Retrieved March 26, 2025.

[30] "Editorial: For Congressional District 6, Josh Weil has the right answers". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved March 26, 2025. The Orlando Sentinel endorses Josh Weil for Congressional District 6.

[32] Weisz, Zac (March 27, 2025). "Chain reaction: Why Trump pulled Stefanik's UN nomination". GZERO. Retrieved March 28, 2025. Eye on the poll: An internal Republican poll from March has Weil leading Fine 44% to 41%, according to a source familiar with the race, with 10% undecided.

[33] Howard, Andrew; Mutnick, Ally; Jacobs, Ben (March 28, 2025). "Stefanik's withdrawal suggests Republicans are sweating their thin margins". Politico.

[35] Florell, Matt (March 26, 2025). "Florida U.S. Congressional District 6 Special Election survey conducted for FloridaPolitics.com" (PDF). St. Pete Polls. Retrieved March 26, 2025.

[38] "Florida - House District 06". fec.gov. Federal Election Commission. Retrieved March 28, 2025.

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Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

Eliminated in primary

Withdrawn

Declined

Endorsements

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

Eliminated in primary

Withdrawn

Results

Third parties and independents

Libertarian Party

Nominee

Independents

Declared

Write-in candidates

Declared

General election

Endorsements

Polling

Fundraising

Results

See also

Notes

References

External links