TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Elon Musk’s America PAC is putting down more than $20,000 to pay for texting services on behalf of Randy Fine and Jimmy Patronis, both of whom are running to replace Florida Republicans that President Donald Trump sought to take with him to the White House, according to the Federal Election Commission.
FEC records indicate the America PAC paid marketing agency IMGE LLC $10,244.45 each for texting services related to Fine and Patronis, a total of $20,488.90.
The special election for the U.S. House seat in District 6 — left open after Mike Waltz became President Trump’s national security advisor — pits Republican Randy Fine against Democrat Josh Weil. The Republican stronghold spans parts of Volusia, Flagler, St. Johns, Marion, Putnam and Lake counties.
President Trump won the district by 30 points and has endorsed Fine while Weil, an Orlando school teacher who’s reportedly fundraised millions more than his opponent, believes Trump’s endorsement — what Weil calls “the only thing (Fine) ran on” — may backfire.
Fine, R-Brevard County, is resigning effective March 31 from the state Senate.
[RELATED: Here are the candidates running to replace Randy Fine in Florida Senate District 19]
Not dissimilar to Fine’s campaign strategy is that of Patronis, Florida’s Chief Financial Officer, who’s also running as Trump’s pick.
Patronis is vying for the U.S. House seat in District 1, which former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz occupied. The seat opened up when Gaetz announced he wouldn’t be returning to Congress, after he bowed out of consideration to be Trump’s attorney general amid allegations of sexual misconduct. In the District 1 election, Patronis will face Gay Valimont, who ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination in the race for the northwest Florida seat.
The election is set for April 1. Early voting for the special elections is underway and runs through Saturday, March 29. Find out how you can vote HERE.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
