Mike Johnson tells GOP donors that Neal Dunn may be terminally ill

House Speaker Mike Johnson reportedly told donors in Florida that U.S. Rep. Neal Dunn may be terminally ill.

Punchbowl News’ Jake Sherman reported that several donors at a retreat shared news from the event. Multiple sources said Johnson told “a room of GOP donors” that the Panama City Republican “may have a terminal diagnosis.”

Florida Politics has reached out to Dunn’s Office for comment.

Dunn announced in January that he will not run for re-election to another term. Within weeks of his announcement, rumors began to swirl that the 73-year-old may leave office early, potentially setting up a Special Election and leaving his seat vacant.

But Dunn’s Office just this week tried to put a stop to those rumors, telling Florida Politics he had no intention to leave office early.

“As a dedicated public servant, he will remain in Congress to represent his constituents through the end of this term,” said Communications Director Eleanor Railsback.

The following day, however, Dunn missed the State of the Union address and his office was closed to visitors.

“Our office is closed today while our team attends our all staff meeting in the district,” a sign on the door of his Washington office reads. Normal business will not resume in the office until March 2.

That came after public urging by Johnson for Dunn to continue serving.

“I’ve encouraged him to stay and be part of this, and I think he wants to do that. And so you have to ask him all the circumstances,” Johnson told reporters on Feb. 11. Republicans of note hold just a 218-214 majority in the U.S. House.

A source close to Dunn believes the Congressman wants to continue to hold office, but that health issues could be the final determinant.

Should Dunn leave office early, whether because of resignation or death, it would fall to Gov. Ron DeSantis to call a Special Election to replace the Congressman, but there is nothing in state law dictating timing. The State Department has said it would take at least 130 days to fully run a Special Election.

The Midterm Election cycle, of course, is already underway. Florida’s statewide Primary is scheduled for Aug. 18.

But the state has rushed elections before, sometimes with the tight margins in the U.S. House in mind. After the resignations last year of GOP U.S. Reps. Matt Gaetz and Michael Waltz, Gov. Ron DeSantis called quick Special Elections.

DeSantis called on the Florida Secretary of State to formulate an election schedule in November. U.S. Reps. Jimmy Patronis and Randy Fine won those Special Elections on April 1.

But DeSantis has not always acted with such haste. When Democratic U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings died in office, DeSantis allowed nine months to pass between his death and the Special Election to replace him.

Florida’s 2nd Congressional District, at least as currently drawn, is considered a safe GOP seat. Dunn in 2024 won re-election with 61.6% of the vote over Democrat Yen Bailey, as almost 58.6% of voters in the district supported Republican Donald Trump for President.