(Adnkronos) – A test by fire to be played “at home” for the Republicans. Today’s special elections in Florida have taken on national importance, especially in the 6th congressional district, where Democrat Josh Weil is challenging Republican Randy Fine in a seat that until a few months ago seemed firmly in the hands of the GOP. Where just six months ago Donald Trump won by over 30 points, the fact that the race is so close has generated a wave of concern among Republicans and renewed hope among Democrats, who now believe in an unexpected upset.
Weil, a public school math teacher, has been adept at turning the race into a referendum against Trump and against the cuts to government services promoted by his administration. “Their 2025 agenda stops here,” Weil told supporters at an Ocala parking lot, stressing how his victory could be a first step in stopping the Republican advance in the House of Representatives.
Republican candidate Fine, on the other hand, warned voters of the danger posed by his rivals. “The Democrats are angry. They will do anything to block Trump’s agenda,” he said in a conference call with voters on the eve of the vote. Despite the GOP’s historic advantage in the district, Fine’s campaign has been marked by far less fundraising than his rival: Weil has raised $10 million, while Fine has raised less than $1 million. Even an internal Republican poll showed Weil with a slight 3-point lead, fueling anxiety among conservatives.
Fear of a rout convinced the party’s “bigwigs” to intervene early on. Trump participated in two events in support of Fine, while Republican Congressman Byron Donalds and commentator Ben Shapiro organized an event in favor of the conservative candidate. “Donald Trump’s agenda is hanging by a thread,” Shapiro warned, stressing the importance of the race. Elon Musk also made his presence felt, with his political committee allocating over $75,000 to support Fine. However, for many analysts quoted by The Hill, the race will be played out on voter enthusiasm, and Democrats seem more motivated. “You can’t win just on name recognition in a special election,” warned conservative Randy Ross. “You have to get voters to the polls.”
A possible Weil victory could shift the balance of power in the House, bringing Democrats one step closer to a majority and putting further pressure on the GOP. With two vacant seats in heavily Democratic districts, a win here could mean that control of the House becomes an even more uncertain battle for Republicans. The outcome could also have repercussions on Trump’s future decisions, as demonstrated by his recent decision to withdraw Elise Stefanik’s candidacy for the United Nations ambassadorship, fearing the loss of another seat in the event of a defeat in Florida.
For Democrats, even a narrow defeat could still be seen as a moral victory. “These are races where there normally shouldn’t be a story,” said Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries. “The American people are not buying what the Republicans are selling.” For the GOP, on the other hand, a disappointing result would sound like a wake-up call, calling into question the strength of their base and raising doubts about Trump’s political strategy for his second term.
