Matt Gaetz Wins Primary Election in Blow To Kevin McCarthy

Amid Kevin McCarthy’s so-called “revenge tour,” Matt Gaetz’s decisive primary win may signal the tour’s demise.

At a Glance

Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy launched what many outlets called a “revenge tour” against GOP members responsible for ending his tenure.
Matt Gaetz triumphs in Florida primary against McCarthy-backed Aaron Dimmock.
McCarthy’s revenge tour was mostly unsuccessful, except for narrowly defeating Bob Good.
McCarthy-aligned PAC’s efforts raised millions but were largely ineffective.

McCarthy’s “Revenge Tour”: Goals and Tactics

Kevin McCarthy, after his unceremonious ouster as House Speaker, embarked on what many have dubbed a “revenge tour,” targeting the GOP members who voted against him. McCarthy and his allies reportedly backed challengers to these lawmakers. For instance, Florida Patriots PAC, a McCarthy-aligned group, poured $3.5 million into ads in an effort to beat Gaetz.

Despite the significant financial resources at his disposal, McCarthy’s campaign did not meet expectations. Matt Gaetz, a staunch opponent of McCarthy, won his primary in Florida against Navy veteran Aaron Dimmock, a McCarthy-backed candidate. Gaetz’s victory by a 45-point margin starkly underscores the inefficacy of McCarthy’s strategy. Other targets of McCarthy and his allies, like Rep. Nancy Mace, Rep. Eli Crane, and Rep. Tim Burchett, also successfully defended their seats.

Gaetz’s Triumph and Its Implications

Gaetz’s triumph against Dimmock has significant implications. Gaetz led the group of House Republicans who ousted McCarthy from the speakership. Gaetz’s victory reinforces his influence and positions him favorably for future political endeavors. Former President Donald Trump endorsed Gaetz, enhancing his standing among conservative voters.

Back in June, MSNBC reporter Ja’han Jones said, “This ‘revenge tour’ by McCarthy was supposed to show his power as an independent force in Republican politics. So far, it’s shaping up to be a reflection of his weakness and political irrelevance.”

Gaetz, despite facing investigation by the House Ethics Committee and accusations of illicit behavior, has maintained his political standing. The Department of Justice declined to press charges against him, allowing him to focus on his legislative efforts. Gaetz’s emphasis on defeating McCarthy’s influence and his campaign slogan-driven approach resonated with voters, leading to his win by an overwhelming margin of around 72% to 27% with over 95% of votes counted.

What Now?

Ultimately, McCarthy’s efforts led to only one narrow victory against House Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good in Virginia. One report from Politico indicated that McCarthy’s allies view this as a significant win thanks to the difficulty associated with defeating incumbent candidates. However, the report noted that it’s unclear if the “revenge tour” will make a comeback in future election cycles.

Gaetz is expected to appear on the ballot opposite Democratic candidate Gay Valimont in November.