DOGE VA IMPACTS MAY LOOM LARGE IN CONGRESSIONAL RACE

Early voting for Florida's District 1 congressional seat is in full swing ahead of next Tuesday's special election, with Republican Jimmy Patronis and Democrat Gay Valimont both vying for the trust of Northwest Florida voters. Patronis, who has raised over $2.1 million, expressed concerns about the election's visibility, while Valimont has surged ahead with more than $6.5 million in donations, focusing her campaign on the urgent need for improvements in veterans' care amid looming federal job cuts at the VA. Both candidates agree that better treatment for veterans is crucial, as they push for voter turnout in this less traditional election timeframe.