DeSantis quickly sets special election to fill Gaetz's Republican seat -- unlike delay for a Democratic seat

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a quick special election timetable Friday for voters to replace former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz in a Republican congressional seat in Florida’s Panhandle.

His urgency is a marked contrast to his monthslong delay setting a special election to fill a vacancy in a Democratic district in South Florida.

The special primary election in Florida’s 1st Congressional District will be held Jan. 28. The special general election is for voters in Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa Counties, and a portion of Walton County is set for April 1.

“At Governor Ron DeSantis’ direction, this special election is being conducted as quickly as statutorily possible,” Secretary of State Cord Byrd said in a statement. “We are committed to ensuring this election is held as soon as we are allowed to hold it by state law.”

Gaetz resigned from his current term on Nov. 13, when President-elect Donald Trump nominated him as attorney general. Gaetz and Trump abandoned the idea this week when Senate Republicans indicated they wouldn’t supply enough votes to confirm him. He could have returned to the House on Jan. 3, to fill the term he was elected to this month.

On Friday, he said he wouldn’t do that. DeSantis acted immediately to set the special election. The timetable, as fast as state and local election laws allow, means the Republican district will be unrepresented for 20 weeks.

The Republican governor didn’t demonstrate the same urgency to fill the vacancy after the 2021 death of U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, a Democrat who represented Broward and Palm Beach counties.

The South Florida district was so heavily Democratic that voters were sure to elect a Democrat. (They ultimately did, choosing U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick.)

Hastings died on April 6, 2021. DeSantis set the special election for Jan. 11, 2022, keeping the Democratic district unrepresented for more than 40 weeks.

At the time, Democrats controlled the House 218-212. Keeping a Democrat out of Congress made it somewhat more difficult for then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., to pass her party’s priorities.

The delay in filling the Hastings vacancy was far longer than normal. Democrats in Congress, candidates and party leaders pleaded with DeSantis to set dates. He didn’t act until after one candidate filed a federal lawsuit asking a judge to order him to set election dates. The dates he chose were much later than what was recommended by the supervisors of elections in Broward and Palm Beach counties.

There’s a difference with the Gaetz vacancy. As of Friday, Republicans have a 219-213 majority in the next Congress, with three races still uncalled. But the Gaetz vacancy reduces that by one and Trump has tapped two other House Republicans for his administration.

The slim margin makes it harder for House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., to pass the Republican agenda.

The Constitution requires special elections to fill House vacancies. Florida law gives date-setting authority to the governor but doesn’t impose any deadline.

Senate vacancies — like the one that will be created if U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., is confirmed as secretary of state — are filled by a gubernatorial appointment until the next regularly speculated general election.