President Donald Trump took a victory lap on Tuesday after Republicans nabbed critical victories in two closely-watched Florida special elections.

The Context

Florida state senator Randy Fine cruised to victory in the 6th Congressional District, while Florida chief financial officer Jimmy Patronis won the race for the state’s 1st Congressional District.

As of 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Fine won 56.7 percent of the vote in his district compared to Democratic opponent Josh Weil’s 42.7 percent, with more than 95 percent of the votes counted.

Patronis won the 1st Congressional District with 57 percent, while his Democratic rival Gay Valimont clinched 42.2 percent of the vote.

While Democrats pointed to the fact that Republicans in both races underperformed Trump’s 2024 general election performance, Republicans celebrated the victories after voicing concerns about a much tighter race in Florida’s 6th Congressional District.

What To Know

Trump celebrated Patronis and Fine’s wins on Tuesday evening, writing on Truth Social: “BOTH FLORIDA HOUSE SEATS HAVE BEEN WON, BIG, BY THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE. THE TRUMP ENDORSEMENT, AS ALWAYS, PROVED FAR GREATER THAN THE DEMOCRATS FORCES OF EVIL. CONGRATULATIONS TO AMERICA!!!”

The victories were especially important in helping Republicans cement their control of the House, though the party would have been in the majority even if Fine and Patronis’ Democratic opponents had pulled off victories.

Fine will replace former Republican Representative Mike Waltz—who resigned from his seat to serve as Trump’s national security adviser—in the House of Representatives, while Patronis will fill the seat previously occupied by former GOP Representative Matt Gaetz.

Gaetz gave up his seat after Trump tapped him to serve as attorney general, but he eventually withdrew from consideration amid increased scrutiny over sexual misconduct allegations against him.

Fine’s race against Weil, a public school teacher, was considered more competitive than the special election in Florida’s 1st Congressional District, although both districts are longtime Republican strongholds.

What People Are Saying

Fine credited Trump for his victory on Tuesday, writing on X: “Because of you, Mr. President. I won’t let you down.”

Weil said in his statement conceding the race: “The numbers didn’t add up in our favor today. We shouldn’t be disappointed however, this race was closer than anyone ever imagined. In a district won by Mike Walz [sic] by 32 points, we closed that gap by a historic margin. An incredible gain.”

Maureen O’Toole, a spokesperson for the Republican Party’s House campaign arm, told The New York Times of Fine: “No one is better positioned to take up the mantle for Florida families, small business owners and workers.”

O’Toole said of Patronis: He will be “a strong voice for Floridians with our Republican majority in Congress.”

What Happens Next

Shortly after Trump celebrated the Florida results, Democrats notched a significant win in Wisconsin, where Democratic-backed Judge Susan Crawford triumphed over Republican-backed Judge Brad Schimel in what was the most expensive judicial race in U.S. history.

Update 4/1/25 11:44 p.m. ET: This story has been updated with additional information.