Florida's Republican chief financial officer Jimmy Patronis fended off a challenge by Democrat Gay Valimont to win Tuesday's special election for northwest Florida's 1st Congressional District, which President Donald Trump carried by about 37 points in November.

Republican Jimmy Patronis has won the special election to succeed former GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz in Florida’s 1st Congressional District. Patronis, the outgoing chief financial officer of Florida, defeated Democrat Gay Valimont in the race for the seat that borders Alabama on the Gulf Coast in the westernmost part of the Florida panhandle.

Patronis dominated votes in three of the four counties that make up the district, but Valimont won Escambia County where she had 51.18% of the vote with 77 of 80 precincts reporting. Turnout in Escambia County was 33%, higher than what the 25% election officials were expecting.

The outcome of Florida's 1st District special election gives House Republicans some breathing room in the narrowly divided chamber.

Republican James Patronis has won the special election for Florida’s 1st District to take the seat of former Rep. Matt Gaetz, NBC News projects.

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Wednesday swore in newly elected Florida Reps. Jimmy Patronis (R) and Randy Fine (R). The two won special elections Tuesday, and their quick entry to the House gives Johnson some additional room to navigate the GOP’s razor-thin margin.