Florida Representative Matt Gaetz successfully fended off a primary challenge on Tuesday, despite significant opposition from former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. McCarthy, who has been at odds with Gaetz since last year, supported Aaron Dimmock, a former Navy aviator and director of the Missouri Leadership Academy, by contributing $3 million to his campaign.
This challenge was part of an ongoing feud between the two, which began when Gaetz led a small group of Republicans to oust McCarthy from the speakership with the help of Democrats.
The primary race was marked by McCarthy’s efforts to unseat Gaetz, largely motivated by a House Ethics Committee investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct and drug use against Gaetz. However, these allegations are not new, and Gaetz has maintained a strong base of support in his district, making his victory in the primary unsurprising.
Kevin McCarthy
Gaetz remains under investigation by the House Ethics Committee as of this summer. The bipartisan committee, led by Representative Michael Guest, issued a statement in June indicating the need for further review of the allegations against Gaetz, which include sexual misconduct, illicit drug use, and the acceptance of improper gifts.
The committee also criticized Gaetz for being uncooperative during the investigation, stating that it had encountered difficulties in obtaining relevant information from him.
Despite the ongoing investigation and McCarthy’s attacks, Gaetz has denied all allegations against him. His loyal following and the lack of new evidence likely contributed to his success in the primary, allowing him to continue his political career despite the controversy surrounding him.
