Florida’s Republican chief financial officer Jimmy Patronis has fended off a tougher-than-expected challenge in a special election for Florida's 1st Congressional District.

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.

Randy Fine and Jimmy Patronis are the newest members of Congress, representing Florida's Sixth and First Congressional Districts, respectively. Both won their elections on Tuesday and were officially sworn-in on Wednesday night.

Florida voters cast ballots Apr. 1 in the U.S. House District 1 special election to replace Matt Gaetz and District 6 to replace Mike Waltz.

Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis was has won the special election to replace former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) in the 1st Congressional District, defeating Democrat Gay Valimont, according to Decision Desk HQ.