Trump’s Team Steps in as GOP Candidate Faces Special Election Challenges

TALLAHASSEE, Florida — Top Republicans are expressing serious concerns about the performance of their GOP candidate in an upcoming special election in Florida, prompting intervention from President Donald Trump’s team and House GOP leadership.

A senior adviser to Trump contacted state Sen. Randy Fine, urging him to boost his campaign efforts, a White House source confirmed. House GOP campaign chief Rep. Richard Hudson and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer emphasized the need for Fine to improve his campaign strategy, with one source stating they insisted he needed to “get his sh*t together.”

With the special election for Florida’s 6th Congressional District just days away, Republicans are preparing for an unexpectedly close race, where the GOP nominee has been vastly outraised. The district, traditionally a Republican stronghold, could see Fine struggle to match Trump’s prior performance there.

On Thursday night, Trump participated in tele-rallies to support Fine and Jimmy Patronis, running in Florida’s 1st Congressional District. “We’re just a few days away from an all-important special election taking place in your state on Tuesday, April 1, and I’m asking you to get out and vote for a true American patriot, somebody that I’ve gotten to know very well, Randy Fine,” Trump appealed during the rally.

Despite Republican optimism that Fine will ultimately win, the Democratic candidate, Josh Weil, has significantly outraised Fine, nearly 10-to-1, and has conducted a more vigorous campaign. Weil has linked Fine to the controversial actions of the Department of Government Efficiency, alongside potential program cuts that could impact critical services.

Hudson acknowledged Fine has potential but admitted that earlier engagement with advertisements could have helped. “I’d rather him have gotten up a few weeks earlier, but we’ve got lots of folks on the ground helping turn out the vote, so I’m confident,” Hudson told CNN.

Fine declined to comment when reached for his perspective on his campaign’s progress.

As political dynamics shift, Republicans note the heightened motivation among Democratic voters, contrasting their own enthusiasm levels post-last year’s election. “Republicans are popping champagne from November, and the Democrats are gathering their pitchforks and knives,” a senior Republican operative noted, underlining the energy within the Democratic base seeking victories.

The implications of a close race could challenge the narrative that the Republican agenda in Washington carries a strong voter mandate. Democratic strategists speculate if Weil can narrow the margin to within 10-15 points, it may ignite further enthusiasm among Democrats across Florida.

“I don’t think that they’re concerned about losing the seat,” said Beth Matuga, a Democratic strategist. “But this special election could be a bellwether and reinvigorate Democrats in Florida.”

In addition to the 6th District, Republicans are also defending a seat in Florida’s 1st District where Democrat Gay Valimont is contesting against Patronis, who took over from Rep. Matt Gaetz.

Fine, who has spent multiple terms in the state House before being elected to the state Senate, has a history of fostering polarization within Florida politics. He has been vocal against what he perceives as pro-terror advocacy in Islamic communities and supported the Parental Rights in Education Act, often referred to by critics as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

During the 2024 GOP primary, Fine criticized Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for his handling of antisemitism issues, to which DeSantis responded by downplaying the critique as “pure politics.” Recently, DeSantis predicted Fine would perform poorly in the upcoming election compared to his own past success in the gubernatorial race.

As unease grows among GOP leaders regarding Fine’s campaign strategy, there are raised concerns over his slow fundraising and advertising presence. “Do people wish Randy had taken this seriously from the get-go? Absolutely. But I haven’t even thought about him losing,” a senior operative stated.

A cautious optimism persists as House GOP leaders stress the importance of managing expectations for the upcoming election. As reported, recent closed-door meetings reflected fears that the result might be tighter than anticipated, potentially signaling significant challenges ahead for Republican candidates.

Meanwhile, implications of the special elections resonate beyond mere party dynamics, with senior House Democrats observing the situation closely, exercising caution about high expectations rooted in uncertain fundraising scenarios. “If he overperforms by 5, and you apply that to the rest of the battlefield, you win 15 seats,” a Democratic leader assessed.

Weil’s successful fundraising campaign focuses on protecting Medicare and Social Security, which have resonated with voters. “I’m grateful for the hundreds of thousands of Floridians and regular Americans who still believe in a better future,” he remarked.

Both Democrats are poised to face scrutiny regarding their fundraising and expenditure strategies, particularly given criticisms surrounding their spending in consultant fees. Nevertheless, Fine’s campaign is currently backed by increased expenditure from Republican supporting groups, while both major parties engage extensively in media advertising leading up to Election Day.

As Election Day approaches, the unfolding narrative in Florida’s special elections highlights interactions among candidates, party leadership, and voter sentiment, shaping not only local outcomes but potential broader implications for upcoming electoral contests.