Randy Fine running for US House seat

Speaking at a fundraising event held at the home of Barry and Donna Render, newly elected State Senator Randy Fine confirmed that he is running for Florida's 6th congressional district U.S. House of Representatives. Governor Ron DeSantis called for this special election to fill the seat vacated by Republican incumbent Michael Waltz, who was chosen by president-elect Donald Trump to be White House national security adviser.

Keith Dvorchik, who has known Fine for more than six years and worked with him when he was CEO of the Greater Orlando Jewish Federation, introduced Fine as a man "who has our back."

A third generation Floridian who grew up in Kentucky, Fine has experienced antisemitism firsthand. As a congressman since 2016, he helped lead a series of high-profile bills combating antisemitism in the Florida Statehouse, including codifying the International Holocaust Remembrance's Alliance's working definition of antisemitism and formalizing procedures for Jewish day schools to receive state security funding.

At the meeting, Barry Render shared he has always financially supported AIPAC but now he believes it would be more financially beneficial to support Fine's campaign.

Fine is proud that he is Jewish, stating "I am a Jewish Republican and not a Republican who happens to be Jewish." He also does not define himself as a politician and has called himself the "Hebrew Hammer" after a Jewish movie character who takes revenge of antisemitism. In congress, his focus is on a few Democrat congresswomen, even writing on social media "Pro-Palestinian Democratic Reps. Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar might consider leaving before I get there."

When elected, Fine hopes to get on the Foreign Affairs committee.

Trump encouraged Fine to run for the seat, calling him an "America First Patriot" and adding, "RUN, RANDY, RUN!

The primary is scheduled for Jan. 28, and the election will be held on April 1.