Fine and Weil win party nominations in congressional primary for District 6


Rep. Randy Fine, R-Melbourne Beach, in Tallahassee, Fla. (Photo/Florida House of Representatives)

Home » Politics
Posted January 29, 2025 | By Caroline Brauchler
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The Republican and Democratic primary elections for the House of Representatives District 6 seat have closed, leaving two candidates to face off in the special election on April 1.

State Sen. Randy Fine (R-Melbourne) and Democrat Josh Weil, an Orlando educator, are running to replace former U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz, who resigned from the House mid-January and became President Donald Trump’s National Security Advisor following the inauguration.

Fine defeated Republican challengers Aaron Baker, of Sorrento, and Eshan Joarder, of Brooksville.

Weil defeated challenger Ges Selmont, of Elkton.

The polls closed at 7 p.m. on Jan. 28. Fine won the Republican nomination with nearly 34,000 votes, and Weil won the Democratic nomination with nearly 10,000 votes.

U.S. House District 6 encompasses parts of Volusia, Lake, Flagler, Marion, Putnam and St. Johns counties.

Fine is a recently elected Florida state senator in District 19, which covers from Titusville to Sebastian. He was encouraged to run by Trump for Congress in District 6, which is about an hour away from his home in Melbourne Beach.

“God saved Donald Trump’s life so he could save the world. And tonight, both of them, powered by my amazing family and all of you who voted for me, put me one step closer to being able to help him do that. I swear I won’t let any of you down,” Fine wrote after his primary win.

He was endorsed both by Trump and Waltz. Waltz posted his endorsement of Fine just before the inauguration.

“Working with President Trump and Speaker (Mike) Johnson, I know Randy will deliver results for our region, our state and our great nation,” Waltz posted to social media.

Waltz took on the position of National Security Advisor as soon as Trump took office, as the role does not require Senate confirmation.

Democratic primary winner Weil is a school teacher in Orlando, who describes himself as a progressive Democrat and not a career politician

“Tonight, our campaign’s victory belongs to the thousands of Floridians who believe in the power of regular people over partisan political games – and we’re just getting started,” Weil wrote on Facebook. “I’m a public educator and single dad, so I’ve seen firsthand the struggles families across our communities face every day.”

Weil said he will not accept funding from corporate political action committees ahead of the April 1 general election.

Early voting will be open from March 22 until March 29. The polls will be open on election day from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.

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