Jimmy Patronis is the Republican incumbent in Florida's 1st District, which he has represented since winning an April 2025 special election to succeed Matt Gaetz.[1][2] A Panhandle native and former restaurant owner, he served in the Florida House (2006-2014), on the Florida Public Service Commission, and as Florida Chief Financial Officer (2017-2025).[1][2] His office describes his priorities as cutting taxes, reining in spending, and investing in the military and veterans' services.[2]
Patronis was born and raised in Florida's Panhandle, the youngest of four children; according to his congressional office, he is a fourth-generation Floridian who worked in his family's restaurant as a young man.[2] He earned an associate degree in restaurant management from Gulf Coast Community College in 1994 and a bachelor's degree in political science from Florida State University in 1996.[1]
Before elected office, Patronis owned and operated Captain Anderson's Restaurant in Panama City, and he worked as a research assistant in the office of British MP Robert Ainsworth and as a legislative intern for then-state Sen. Ken Jenne.[1] He represented District 6 in the Florida House of Representatives from 2006 to 2014.[1][2]
Patronis served on the Florida Public Service Commission from January 2015, after an appointment to replace Eduardo Balbis, and was appointed to the Florida Constitution Revision Commission in March 2017.[1] Gov. Rick Scott appointed him Florida Chief Financial Officer on June 26, 2017, and he was elected to full terms in 2018 and 2022, defeating Adam Hattersley in 2022.[1][2] In that role he also served as State Fire Marshal and sat on the Florida Cabinet, and he resigned effective March 31, 2025 to run for Congress.[1][2]
Patronis won the April 1, 2025 special general election for Florida's 1st District with 56.9% of the vote to Democrat Gay Valimont's 42.3%, and was sworn in on April 2, 2025; according to his congressional office, his campaign had the endorsement of President Trump.[1][2] He serves on the House Committee on Small Business and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and he won renomination in the August 18, 2026 Republican primary over John Frankman and Douglas Chico.[3][1][2]
Ballotpedia lists past civic roles including chair of the American Heart Association Leadership Circle, president of the Bay County chapter of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, and membership in the Kiwanis Club of Panama City.[1] His office says he is married to Katie and they have two sons.[2]
Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21.
