The First Congressional District covers all Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties and about half of Walton County. Escambia County has only controlled the seat once since 1960, when Joe Scarborough upset Lois Benson in 1994.
WHY? Escambia County usually spreads its support among several candidates, while Santa Rosa and Okaloosa power brokers rally around a single individual.
DECISION: Escambia County may be down to three viable candidates: State Rep. Michelle Salzman, County Commissioner Mike Kohler, and former state lawmaker Frank White.
On Facebook this past weekend, Rep. Michelle Salzman tried to portray herself as part of the Trump cabinet, along with Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Sen. Marco Rubio, and Congressmen Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz. However, she isn’t getting the answers she’s seeking from top local donors or from God.
- Peter Schorsch of Florida Politics isn’t impressed. In his weekly Takeaways from Tallahassee, he wrote, “We get it…you want to run for CD 1. But you did endorse DeSantis, didn’t you? MAGA doesn’t forget.”
DIG DEEPER: In 2001, Scarborough resigned after failing to secure a high-ranking post in the George W. Bush administration. We saw a ton of candidates pre-file to run for the seat:
Banjanin, Thomas G. (REP) Did Not Qualify
Beaird, Ken (REP) Did Not Qualify
Briese, Steve (DEM) Defeated Won Eliminated
Cartwright, Joel (REP )Did Not Qualify
Cole, Robert A. (Bob) (REP) Withdrew
Condon, Bob (REP) Defeated Eliminated
Davison, R. Bo (REP) Did Not Qualify
Francisco, Michael C. (REP) Defeated Eliminated
Green, James Wade (REP) Did Not Qualify
Hommeland, Harold ‘HH’ (DEM) Did Not Qualify
Johnson, John R ‘Dooley’ (DEM) Did Not Qualify
Knepper, Randy (REP) Defeated Eliminated
Lynch, Chuck (DEM) Defeated Eliminated
Miller, Floyd (WRI) Defeated Unopposed Eliminated
Miller, Jeff (REP) Elected Won Won
Pappas, Robert ‘Bob’ (REP) Defeated Eliminated
Ralls Jr., John G. (NPA) Defeated Unopposed Eliminated
Revell, Ken (REP)Defeated Eliminated
Sumpter, James (REP) Did Not Qualify
Tarsey, Alexander R. (REP)Did Not Qualify
Tegenkamp, Jeffrey L (DEM) Did Not Qualify
Tegenkamp, Robert (REP) Withdrew
Wells, Tom (WRI) Defeated Unopposed Eliminated
THANK YOU BUT NO: Former State Rep. Jayer Williamson posted this on his Facebook page:
Very humbled by all of the texts, calls and private messages over the last few days from friends, acquaintances, and even strangers, encouraging me to run for Florida’s First Congressional District to replace Congressman Matt Gaetz.
The “idea” of being in Congress is very intriguing. Add the fact of a very short campaign and how crucial Santa Rosa County will be in choosing the next Congressman, if I was ever going to run, now would be the perfect time.
With that said, since leaving the Florida House two years ago I have been more at peace with my family, career and life than any other time. I have the opportunity to work with two of my best friends, Rob Bradley and Travis Cummings, as we continue to grow Oak Strategies. Honestly, every week I make the comment to Linsey that I can’t believe this is a what I get to do for a living. Best job ever!! Also, every week I get to take Brooks and Rylin to school and often times pick them up. Most my weekends are mine to golf badly, watch sports, play guitar, game with the kiddos, hang with my bride or to just do nothing instead of always feeling I need to be at a public event or political gathering. Simply put, for the last two years I feel like I finally have my life back. And as intriguing as being called “Congressman” might be, nothing is worth changing that!
HOPELESS: Democrat Gay Valimont will relaunch her campaign for Congress today at 10 a.m. at the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office. She received 34% of the vote in the 2024 General Election against Matt Gaetz.
Photo by Ryan Riggins on Unsplash