Republican concerns grow over Trump-backed candidate in Florida special election

As Florida’s special election for the 6th Congressional District approaches, leading Republicans are growing increasingly uneasy about their party’s candidate, state Senator Randy Fine. Despite his endorsement from President Donald Trump, Fine has struggled to gain financial traction and energize voters, prompting direct interventions from top GOP leaders and the former president’s team.

According to sources within the party, Fine was urged to step up his campaign efforts, with House GOP leadership emphasizing the need for a stronger presence on the airwaves. Representative Richard Hudson and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer both reportedly told Fine in no uncertain terms to “get his act together.” Trump himself recently dialed into a pair of tele-rallies to boost Fine’s visibility, underscoring the national significance of the race.

The 6th Congressional District, a historically deep-red stronghold, was left vacant when former Representative Mike Waltz joined the Trump administration as National Security Adviser. Waltz had secured re-election by an overwhelming 33-point margin in November. However, Fine’s Democratic opponent, educator Josh Weil, has outraised him nearly ten-to-one and is mounting an aggressive campaign focused on issues such as Social Security and Medicaid cuts.

Despite these financial challenges, Republican leaders remain confident in Fine’s ability to hold the seat. Hudson, chairman of the House Republicans’ campaign arm, acknowledged that Fine could have started his advertising efforts earlier but remains optimistic. “We’ve got lots of folks on the ground helping turn out the vote, so I’m confident,” he told CNN.

While Republicans insist that a win is a win regardless of the margin, a narrower-than-expected victory could signal broader political headwinds. Democratic strategists argue that if Weil finishes within 10-15 points of Fine, it would suggest a growing resistance to Trump’s policies.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who has clashed with Fine in the past, offered a blunt assessment of the race, predicting Fine would underperform compared to Trump’s and his own past electoral margins. “That is not a reflection of President Trump; it’s a reflection of the specific candidate running in that race,” DeSantis remarked.

Weil’s campaign has significantly outspent Fine’s, with a war chest of nearly $9.5 million compared to Fine’s $1 million. Weil credits his success to a platform centered on protecting social programs and lowering costs for Floridians. However, questions have been raised about campaign spending practices on both sides. Fine’s campaign has criticized Weil’s expenditures, including large payments to consultants and the use of a multi-room Airbnb as campaign headquarters.

Meanwhile, Fine has seen an uptick in outside support in the final stretch. Super PACs aligned with cryptocurrency investors and conservative figures, including Elon Musk, have funneled money into the race. Musk’s political action committee made its first contribution this week, while the Republican Jewish Coalition’s PAC has spent over $94,000 backing Fine.

This race is being closely watched not only for its immediate implications but also for what it signals about the broader political landscape leading into the 2024 general election. Democratic leaders, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, argue that any overperformance by their candidates would suggest that voters are rejecting the Republican agenda.

Regardless of the outcome, this special election has already underscored the challenges facing Trump-backed candidates in reliably Republican districts. If Fine struggles to secure a decisive victory, it could serve as a warning sign for the GOP heading into a crucial election year.