McCarthy takes 'revenge tour' to Florida as Gaetz battles GOP primary challenger

19 August 2024

While Democrats are holding the second day of their 2024 convention in Chicago on Tuesday, August 20, Republican voters in Florida's 1st Congressional District will decide whether or not to nominate Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida).

The far-right MAGA congressman is getting a GOP congressional primary challenge from Aaron Dimmock, a retired naval officer. Gaetz appears to be on track to win the nomination: a poll conducted by Fabrizio, Lee & Associates in July found Gaetz ahead of Dimmock by 47 percent.

But Dimmock, according to The Hill's Emily Brooks, has an outspoken supporter in former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-California) — who is targeting Gaetz as part of his "revenge tour."

McCarthy deeply resents Gaetz for triggering a "motion to vacate" that led to him being ousted as House speaker in 2023.

"Dimmock told The Hill he has never spoken to McCarthy, but that he jumped into the race in part over frustrations about Gaetz's political moves like ousting the former speaker — as well as over the allegations of misconduct that have plagued Gaetz for years," Brooks explains.

Dimmock's campaign, according to Brooks, has raised $336,675 — while Gaetz has raised almost $5.7 million.

"The Department of Justice declined to charge Gaetz with any crime after investigating the alleged sexual misconduct," Brooks notes, "but the Ethics Committee probe has kept the issue alive. Since his gavel was yanked away, McCarthy has repeatedly accused Gaetz of spearheading the charge to oust him because he would not halt the Ethics Committee investigation, which Gaetz has denied."

Brooks adds, "Another eyebrow-raising ad from Florida Patriots PAC opens with video of the second World Trade Center tower being hit on 9/11 — aiming to pump up Dimmock's experience as a naval aviator, saying he had patrolled Ground Zero."

Nonetheless, Gaetz has been endorsed by a who's-who of far-right MAGA Republicans, including Reps. Lauren Boebert (R-Colorado), Andy Biggs (R-Arizona), Chip Roy (R-Texas), Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) and Tim Burchett (R-Tennessee)

Read The Hill's full article at this link.

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