Florida state Sen. Randy Fine (R) secured a victory in the Republican primary for the state’s 6th Congressional District, positioning him as a strong contender for the U.S. House seat left vacant by former Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.). Waltz, who won reelection with over 66% of the vote in November, vacated the seat to become President Trump’s national security adviser.
Fine, representing Florida’s 19th state Senate district, entered the race last November after receiving encouragement from Trump. The district is known for its conservative lean, stretching from southern Jacksonville to Daytona Beach. Fine’s primary win makes him the likely favorite for the general election, scheduled for April 1.
Fine, a staunch pro-Israel advocate and the only Jewish Republican in the state Legislature, has gained attention for switching his endorsement from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to Trump during the 2024 Republican presidential primary. He explained his decision by emphasizing Trump’s actions supporting the Jewish community, including moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, backing Israeli security measures, and brokering the Abraham Accords. Fine’s endorsement switch was met with criticism from DeSantis’s team, who dismissed it as “political theater.”
The upcoming special election in April is expected to solidify Fine’s place in Congress.
