Jimmy Patronis

Jimmy Patronis
Official portrait, 2025
Jimmy Patronis
Born	Jimmy Theo Patronis Jr. 13 4, 1972
Birthplace	Panama City, Florida, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician
Known for	4th Chief Financial Officer of Florida, U.S. Representative for Florida's 1st congressional district
Education	Gulf Coast State College (AS) Florida State University (BS)
Spouse(s)	Katie Patronis
Children	2
Website	[patronis.house.gov Official site]

Jimmy Theo Patronis Jr. (born April 13, 1972) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for Florida's 1st congressional district since April 2025. A member of the Republican Party, Patronis has built a political career spanning more than two decades in the state of Florida, rising from local commission work to statewide office before entering Congress. He previously served as the fourth Chief Financial Officer of Florida from 2017 to 2025, having been appointed to the position by Governor Rick Scott and later winning a full elected term in 2018. Before becoming CFO, Patronis served on the Florida Public Service Commission from 2015 to 2017, and represented the 6th district in the Florida House of Representatives from 2006 to 2014. His career has been marked by advocacy for firefighters, insurance reform, and fiscal oversight in state government. He succeeded Matt Gaetz in Congress after winning a special election for the 1st congressional district seat.

Early Life

Jimmy Theo Patronis Jr. was born on April 13, 1972, in Panama City, Florida. He grew up in the Florida Panhandle region, where his family operated a restaurant business. The Patronis family has deep roots in the Panama City community, and the family business provided Patronis with early experience in commerce and local economic issues.

Panama City and the surrounding Bay County area would remain central to Patronis's identity throughout his political career. The region, located along the Gulf of Mexico, has an economy influenced by military installations, tourism, and the seafood industry. Patronis's upbringing in this community shaped his later policy priorities, including his focus on disaster recovery, insurance, and support for military communities.

His family's involvement in the restaurant industry gave Patronis a perspective on small business operations and the regulatory challenges faced by entrepreneurs in Florida. This background would later inform his positions on economic regulation and business-friendly policy during his time in the Florida Legislature and as CFO.

Education

Patronis attended Gulf Coast State College in Panama City, where he earned an Associate of Science degree. He subsequently transferred to Florida State University in Tallahassee, where he completed a Bachelor of Science degree. His educational path through the Florida public college and university system kept him connected to the state's institutions and the Panhandle region where he would later build his political career.

Career

Florida Elections Commission (1998–2003)

Patronis began his career in public service as a member of the Florida Elections Commission, where he served from 1998 to 2003. This appointment provided him with early exposure to the mechanics of election administration and governance in Florida, laying the groundwork for his subsequent political career.

Florida House of Representatives (2006–2014)

In 2006, Patronis was elected to the Florida House of Representatives, representing the 6th district, which encompasses Panama City and other parts of southern Bay County. He succeeded Allan Bense in the seat. Patronis served in the Florida House for four terms, from November 7, 2006, to November 4, 2014, when he was succeeded by Jay Trumbull.

During his tenure in the state legislature, Patronis served on multiple committees and engaged with a range of policy issues affecting the state of Florida. His legislative work reflected the concerns of his Panhandle district, including economic development, environmental issues related to the Gulf Coast, and support for military installations in the region.

Patronis was term-limited out of the Florida House after the 2014 session, having completed the maximum number of consecutive terms permitted under Florida law.

Florida Public Service Commission (2015–2017)

Following his departure from the state legislature, Patronis was appointed by Governor Rick Scott to serve on the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) in January 2015, succeeding Eduardo Balbis. The PSC is the regulatory body responsible for overseeing electric, natural gas, telephone, water, and wastewater utilities in the state of Florida.

Patronis served on the commission for approximately two and a half years, from January 2, 2015, to June 25, 2017, when he was succeeded by Gary Clark. His time on the PSC gave him experience in utility regulation, rate-setting, and the oversight of critical infrastructure—experience that would prove relevant to his subsequent role as the state's chief financial officer.

Chief Financial Officer of Florida (2017–2025)

On June 30, 2017, Governor Rick Scott appointed Patronis as the fourth Chief Financial Officer of Florida, succeeding Jeff Atwater, who had resigned the position. The CFO is one of three members of the Florida Cabinet and serves as the state's chief fiscal officer, overseeing the Department of Financial Services, which includes the Division of State Fire Marshal, the Division of Insurance Fraud, and the regulation of the state's financial industries.

Scott described Patronis as "my friend" when announcing the appointment, reflecting their close political relationship. The appointment was covered by multiple Florida media outlets, with the Miami Herald reporting on the political dynamics surrounding the selection.

2018 Election

In 2018, Patronis ran for a full elected term as CFO and won, securing the position through the statewide general election. His victory gave him a four-year mandate to continue the work he had begun following his appointment.

Advocacy for Firefighters

One of Patronis's signature issues during his tenure as CFO was advocacy for firefighters, particularly regarding cancer-related health benefits. In his role overseeing the Division of State Fire Marshal, Patronis championed legislation to provide cancer coverage for firefighters who developed the disease as a result of occupational exposure to carcinogens. This effort received bipartisan attention in the Florida Legislature.

Patronis continued this advocacy after leaving the CFO position. As a member of Congress, he attended the North Bay Fire District Medal of Valor Ceremony to honor firefighters, reflecting his ongoing commitment to the firefighting community.

Hurricane Michael Response

In October 2018, Hurricane Michael made landfall near Panama City as a Category 5 hurricane, devastating Patronis's hometown and much of the Florida Panhandle. The storm had direct personal significance for Patronis, and he was involved in the state's response and recovery efforts in his capacity as CFO. During this period, Patronis publicly discussed the hurricane's impact on his community and his wife Katie's concurrent battle with cancer, providing a rare window into his personal circumstances.

Trump Legal Fees Controversy

In late 2023 and early 2024, Patronis made headlines for suggesting that Florida taxpayers should help pay for the legal fees of former President Donald Trump, who was facing multiple criminal indictments at the time. Patronis argued that the legal proceedings against Trump were politically motivated and that Florida had an interest in supporting the former president, who is a Florida resident.

The proposal drew national attention and criticism. The Washington Post and Politico both covered the story, reporting on the legal and political implications of using state funds for an individual's criminal defense. The controversy highlighted Patronis's alignment with Trump and the broader Republican base in Florida.

Resignation

Patronis officially resigned as Chief Financial Officer on March 31, 2025, to take his seat in the U.S. Congress. He was succeeded by Blaise Ingoglia. His tenure as CFO spanned nearly eight years, during which he served under both Governor Rick Scott and Governor Ron DeSantis.

U.S. House of Representatives (2025–present)

Following the resignation of Matt Gaetz from Florida's 1st congressional district, Patronis ran in the special election to fill the vacancy. The 1st congressional district encompasses Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton counties in the western Florida Panhandle.

Patronis won the special election and was sworn into office on April 2, 2025, succeeding Gaetz as the representative for the district. CNN reported on the transition as part of its broader coverage of political developments during the Trump transition period in late 2024.

Legislative Activity

In Congress, Patronis has focused on several policy areas. He supported the passage of the SAVE America Act, which adds voter identification requirements for federal elections.

In February 2026, Patronis and Congressman Gus Bilirakis introduced H.R. 7393, the Save for Success Act, a bill aimed at addressing homeownership affordability for younger generations.

Patronis has also engaged with technology policy, filing a document titled "The True Cost of Big Tech" in the Congressional Record to draw public attention to issues related to major technology companies.

On matters affecting his district, Patronis issued a statement regarding the cancellation of the NAS Pensacola 2025 Blue Angels Homecoming Airshow, reflecting the importance of Naval Air Station Pensacola to the local community and economy. He has also encouraged constituents to participate in public comment periods regarding the Department of the Interior's Bureau of activities affecting Florida.

Community Engagement

Patronis has maintained an active presence in his district. In January 2026, he delivered remarks at the 50th Annual Governmental Prayer Breakfast in Pensacola.

Personal Life

Jimmy Patronis is married to Katie Patronis, and the couple has two children. The family has roots in the Panama City, Florida, area, where the Patronis family has long been involved in the local community and restaurant business.

In 2018, Patronis publicly discussed his wife Katie's battle with cancer, which coincided with the devastation wrought by Hurricane Michael on their hometown of Panama City. Patronis spoke about navigating both crises simultaneously—his wife's health challenges and the destruction of the community where he grew up and had built his career. The Tampa Bay Times reported on the intersection of these personal and professional challenges, noting the toll they took on the Patronis family during a difficult period.

The Patronis family's connection to Panama City and the broader Florida Panhandle region has been a defining feature of Jimmy Patronis's public identity. His family's restaurant business has provided him with a connection to the local business community that has informed his political perspective throughout his career.

Recognition

During his tenure as CFO, Patronis received recognition for his advocacy on behalf of firefighters and first responders. His work on the firefighter cancer bill, which sought to provide cancer-related benefits to firefighters exposed to carcinogens in the line of duty, earned him attention from both the firefighting community and the broader public policy establishment.

As a member of Congress, Patronis has continued to receive recognition from first responder communities. His attendance at the North Bay Fire District Medal of Valor Ceremony in 2026 reflected his ongoing relationship with the firefighting community, built during his years as the official who oversaw the Division of State Fire Marshal.

Patronis's career trajectory—from the Florida Elections Commission to the state legislature, the Public Service Commission, the CFO's office, and ultimately the U.S. Congress—represents a sustained engagement with Florida governance over more than a quarter century. His service under multiple governors and across multiple levels of government has been noted by Florida political observers.