Patronis, Jimmy

Jimmy Patronis is a Republican representing Florida's 1st Congressional District, which encompasses Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton counties in the state's Western Panhandle. He was sworn into the U.S. House of Representatives in April 2025 after winning a special election to fill the seat vacated by former Congressman Matt Gaetz. Patronis brings extensive state-level experience to Congress, having served as Florida's Chief Financial Officer from 2017 to 2025, where he managed state finances, served as State Fire Marshal, and sat on the Florida Cabinet. Before that, he represented the 6th District in the Florida House of Representatives for eight years and served on the Florida Public Service Commission.

Prior to his political career, Patronis worked in his family's restaurant business, Captain Anderson's, a historic seafood establishment in Panama City that has operated since 1967. He earned an associate degree in restaurant management from Gulf Coast Community College and a bachelor's degree in political science from Florida State University. His early public service included internships with the Florida State Senate and the United Kingdom's House of Commons, and he served on the Florida Elections Commission from 1998 to 2003.

In Congress, Patronis serves on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the House Committee on Small Business, along with several subcommittees including Aviation, Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, Water Resources and Environment, and Rural Development, Energy, and Supply Chains. He has sponsored legislation including the Save for Success Act, the PROTECT Act, and the SOAR Act, reflecting his focus on economic growth, business protection, and military support.

Patronis is a fourth-generation Floridian born and raised in Panama City. He is married to Katie and has two sons. He received President Trump's endorsement in his congressional race and has emphasized support for tax cuts, military investment, and veteran services as key priorities in his congressional agenda.