Jimmy Patronis, Florida’s Chief Financial Officer, resigned Monday after President-elect Donald Trump encouraged him to run for Congress. He announced he will be running in a special election to replace former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz. In a letter sent to Florida Gov. Patronis told Secretary of State Cord byrd and Governor Ron DeSantis that he will step down from his position as CFO for the state “effective March 31 2025,” a day ahead of a special election in Florida’s 1st Congressional District.

Patronis wrote: “It’s been an honor and privilege to serve Florida as CFO for almost eight years.” He had said he was “strongly weighing” a bid for Florida’s 1st Congressional District which is the westernmost part of the Panhandle. Patronis resigned just hours after Trump had preemptively endorsed his candidacy for the House Seat, which Gaetz has held since 2017. Gaetz resigned as a member of Congress in early October after Trump announced that he was his nominee for U.S. Attorney General.

Gaetz withdrew last week from consideration for the Attorney General job as he was facing increasing scrutiny due to allegations dating back years of sexual misconduct and drugs use. Gaetz denies any wrongdoing. Former congressman Gaetz, who just won reelection in this month’s elections, said he would not be returning to Congress. Trump’s endorsement of Patronis, who had not yet announced his campaign to replace Gaetz, gives the outgoing Florida Chief Financial Officer a big advantage. Trump’s endorsement is likely to have a big impact on the special election for Gaetz’s replacement. Florida’s 1st Congressional District, which is one of the most conservative districts in the state is likely to benefit from Trump’s backing. Michelle Salzman, a state representative who had announced her candidacy for the House position last week, backed Patronis shortly after Trump’s comments. “Politics are a constantly changing chessboard. As elected officials, our first priority should be to serve our constituents. Salzman wrote in X that “if we put them before us, we will all win”. “Jimmy’s endorsement by our leader should be enough to convince us that we should support him.” The resignation of @JimmyPatronis will allow DeSantis to name a new CFO in time for the 2026 election. Trump also urges state senator Randy Fine to run for the special election in Florida’s Sixth Congressional District to replace U.S. Rep. Mike Waltz. Waltz was chosen to be Trump’s National Security Advisor.