Matt Gaetz gains last minute challenge to House seat from former naval aviator

Gaetz has represented Florida's first district since 2017, and the seat is considered solidly red. It covers the western part of Florida's panhandle.

By Misty Severi

Published: April 29, 2024 4:49pm

Florida GOP firebrand Rep. Matt Gaetz has an unexpected challenger for the Republican primary, from a former Naval aviator who filed to run just before the filing deadline last week.

Gaetz has represented Florida's first district since 2017, and the seat is considered solidly red. It covers the western part of Florida's panhandle.

Aaron Dimmock, who previously worked as the director of the Missouri Leadership Academy, filed his last-minute bid on Friday, which was the deadline for all federal and judiciary candidates in Florida. He is Gaetz's sole challenger for the Republican nomination for the first district.

“Aaron is not in Kansas City anymore. This is Trump Country. Our pronouns are USA and MAGA. I’m a proud Trump Republican," Gaetz told The Hill on Monday. "I stand shoulder to shoulder with President Trump to defeat Joe Biden, secure our border, restore our economy, and support our veterans."

Gaetz also shared a screenshot of Dimmock's LinkedIn profile to X on Monday, which showed a post he shared four years ago that appeared to support the Black Lives Matter movement.

"They aren't sending their best!" Gaetz said in his social media post.

The winner of the Republican primary on Aug. 20 will face sole Democratic candidate Gay Valimont in November, according to Florida campaign filings.