McCarthy’s Feud With Gaetz Reached Breaking Point

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) is facing a significant challenge in his primary contest this Tuesday, driven by a multimillion-dollar campaign backed by former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and his supporters. This effort represents a culmination of McCarthy’s quest for retribution against the Republicans who helped oust him nearly a year ago.

Gaetz, known for his outspoken conservative stance, played a leading role in removing McCarthy from the Speaker’s chair. As the last of the Republican lawmakers who voted for McCarthy’s ouster to face a primary challenge this year, Gaetz is now the target of McCarthy’s considerable political machinery.

The rivalry between Gaetz and McCarthy came into sharp focus last month at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. Gaetz used the opportunity to mock McCarthy for lacking a speaking role, prompting McCarthy to later address Gaetz’s involvement in ongoing House Ethics Committee investigations. These investigations include allegations, which Gaetz denies, regarding an inappropriate relationship with a minor.

McCarthy’s push to unseat Gaetz is fueled not only by these investigations but also by a general dissatisfaction among constituents with the turmoil caused by Gaetz’s actions against McCarthy. The primary challenge is spearheaded by Aaron Dimmock, a retired naval officer and leadership consultant, who entered the race last-minute after seeing a lack of opposition to Gaetz. Dimmock’s entry involved a frantic effort to meet the filing deadline, including a late-night drive and FedEx delivery to ensure his place on the ballot.

Dimmock, who claims he has not directly communicated with McCarthy, has expressed frustration over Gaetz’s political maneuvers and the associated allegations. “The voters here are embarrassed by our incumbents,” Dimmock stated, criticizing Gaetz for the disruption he has caused within the Republican Party.

Despite his late start, Dimmock is battling an uphill struggle against Gaetz’s well-established political presence. As of late July, Gaetz had raised nearly $5.7 million compared to Dimmock’s $336,675. Gaetz’s father, Don Gaetz, a prominent local figure and former president of the Florida Senate, is also making a political comeback, further strengthening the Gaetz family’s influence.

Dimmock’s campaign is buoyed by a new super PAC, Florida Patriots PAC, linked to McCarthy’s allies, which has already spent over $3 million on the race. The PAC has run aggressive ads attacking Gaetz, featuring the controversial allegations against him and other past incidents. Although the Department of Justice declined to press charges, the Ethics Committee investigation continues to cast a shadow over Gaetz.

In response to Dimmock’s candidacy, Gaetz has attacked his opponent for allegedly supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and for his employment with Missouri’s government while running for office in Florida. Gaetz has dismissed Dimmock’s campaign efforts as insufficient, highlighting his own robust support base and substantial fundraising advantage.

Dimmock, while defending his record and positions, has pointed to his commitment to meritocracy and his need to maintain a flexible job to support his family. The campaign has also attracted support from notable GOP donors and political figures, including billionaire Paul Singer, Harlan Crow, and former Vice President Dan Quayle.

The Florida primary represents the final chapter in McCarthy’s effort to exact political retribution. While McCarthy’s allies have had mixed results in other races—winning some and losing others—this primary is crucial for both Gaetz and McCarthy’s broader political objectives. As Gaetz continues to rally support from prominent conservative figures, including several fellow hard-right members of Congress, Dimmock remains hopeful, but faces a challenging path to victory.