There will be a special election in the Florida Panhandle to fill the seat of resigned U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.).
Navarre High School math teacher Jeff Peacock announced his candidacy for the first district seat. Peacock is well-known in Alabama, where he served in the state and county Republican parties. While living in Brewton, he was chairman of the Escambia County Republican Party. He was elected vice chairman for congressional districts one and two of the Alabama Republican Party.
Peacock ran for the Alabama State Senate, losing to now-State Sen. Greg Albritton (R-Atmore).
Gaetz resigned the House seat after being nominated for U.S. Attorney General by President-elect Donald Trump. Gaetz later withdrew from consideration for AG, but the resignation from Congress still stands. Gaetz has yet to announce his own future plans. His name has been mentioned as a possible replacement for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who has been nominated by Trump to be U.S. Secretary of State. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will make that Senate appointment.
DeSantis set that special congressional election was set for January 28, 2025. Florida counties in the first congressional district are Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton.
Peacock’s announcement read:
A fourth-generation resident of Florida's 1st congressional district, Jeff Peacock knows our area. As a teacher, he knows how important a good education is to the success of future generations of Americans. As the son of a Pearl Harbor Survivor and Air Force retiree, he knows the struggles that our veterans face as they fight for the benefits they were promised. As someone who grew up in the rural areas of our district, he understands the difficulties faced by farmers and their communities.
Jeff isn't another wealthy career politician looking a promotion. Like many of you, Jeff and his wife Jodi wake up every morning and head off to work to make enough to pay their bills and maybe have a little bit left over to save. And that's why Jeff is running for Congress. Washington already has enough millionaires making decisions that hurt working folks. Jeff believes Washington could use the common sense that comes from working for a living and making ends meet. Will you join him?
Peacock’s official campaign website can be found here.
Peacock is married to Jodie Nellums Peacock, who was also active in the Alabama GOP.
Their move to Florida was a return home.
"Let’s send a teacher to Congress…not another politician.” - Jeff Peacock campaign slogan
Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler writes about Alabama’s people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at ZeiglerElderCare@yahoo.com.
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