Jimmy Patronis says he’s in trouble against Gay Valimont

Former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz had little trouble in the First Congressional District in General Elections.

But that was then, this is now.

Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis is sounding the alarm about his Special Election that wraps up Tuesday, describing dynamics that have turned a seat seen as safe Republican into a jump ball headed into April 1 and the counting of the votes.

“I’ve never been outspent in a race before. They’re out spending me seven to one. dollars are coming in from all over the country and it’s crazy. My opponent has so much money,” Patronis said on Saturday’s “Fox and Friends Weekend.”

Indeed, Democrat Gay Valimont (who Gaetz defeated handily in November) has brought in more than $6 million to the Panhandle seat.

That’s four times what Patronis raised.

And she’s using the money to target Republican voters in a way that usually doesn’t happen, the candidate laments.

“She’s even chasing Republican potential voters depicting herself as being tough on China, standing up for Social Security … helping people with their gun rights. They’ve got so much money that this is what they’re doing in order to change the balance of power in Congress,” Patronis said.

Valimont will need to bring a lot of Republicans aboard to have any chance. CD 1 has roughly 312,000 of them, while less than 119,000 Democrats are registered.

“If they don’t show up to vote today and on Tuesday, it’s going to be a very tight race,” Patronis said. “Too close for me.”

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