PANAMA CITY — State Rep. Jimmy Patronis has announced he is withdrawing from the 2016 state Senate race leaving Rep. Matt Gaetz as the only candidate in the race for his father's seat so far.
Patronis, R-Panama City, declared himself as a candidate in December but now says he wants to spend more time with his family. He isn’t ruling out future runs at public office, but for now he wants to focus on those he loves the most and finish out his final year in the Florida House of Representatives.
“Trying to serve three different causes — my family, my business that pays the bills and the Legislature — was just more than I could really do well in,” Patronis said. “I knew, first and foremost, being a good dad and a good husband needs to be my priorities.”
He said he made the decision in May, the same month that Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, announced his intention to pursue the seat.
Patronis, 41, said eight years of commitment to public office is “enough at this time.”
His son will turn 5 years old today and he said it’s things like that which put everything in perspective.
“I don’t want to miss another day of [my kids’] development,” Patronis said.
But the decision was made more than a month ago, in mid-to-late May, Patronis said.
“I had made my mind up and just got more and more comfortable with the decision and got more and more content that I was making the right decision,” he said.
Patronis said he changed his cellphone number in May and suddenly realized how much of his life was tied up in his public service.
“Taking a little bit more control of my personal time has been more rewarding than I thought it would be. I realize what I’ve been missing,” he said.
Patronis said he spoke with Gov. Rick Scott and U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland, R-Panama City, about the move and how he plans to devote his time in the near future to public service.
“I made it clear. I said my only entry into politics over the next two years is to just do everything humanly possible to make sure Steve Southerland and Rick Scott get re-elected. Period,” he said.
Patronis is on his fourth term in the state House and is term limited. He was running for the state Senate seat currently held by Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, who is term limited and cannot run again in 2016.
Patronis was the first to hop in the Senate race, but was joined in May by Gaetz’s son, state Rep. Matt Gaetz, .
Though Matt Gaetz waited until after the 2013 legislative session was over, his actions during the session led many to speculate about his ambitions on his father’s seat. He often sparred with Patronis — in committee hearings and on the House floor — which led many to anticipate a bitter 2016 primary race.
Patronis didn’t reference Matt Gaetz specifically, but said: “There’s plenty of good people that will have their opportunity to serve and make a difference.”
Contacted Monday, Matt Gaetz said he was not aware Patronis was pulling out. He heaped praise on what likely have would been his biggest foe in the 2016 race.
“Jimmy Patronis has spent seven sessions fighting for the people of Northwest Florida. He has a record to be very proud of,” Matt Gaetz said. “We’ve had our disagreements, but usually I count on Jimmy Patronis to be a mentor and to help me in my decision-making process.
“I expect that will continue if I have the opportunity to serve in the Senate.”
Asked if Patronis’ decision came as a relief, he dismissed the question.
“I’d probably prefer to talk about the race for the Senate tomorrow. Today’s the day about Jimmy Patronis and about his legacy of service,” Matt Gaetz said.
Return possible
Patronis may return to public life sometime in the future.
“If the opportunity comes back again where the Lord thinks it’s the right thing for me to do and the family’s supportive, then, well, I’ll contemplate it, but right now my place is going to be right here in Panama City,” Patronis said.
Conceivably, though, Patronis could jump back into the Senate race next summer and pick up where he left off — and he didn’t totally rule it out.
“The likelihood of me getting back in this, I think, is very slim and remote,” Patronis said.
His quick exit also leaves what is likely in excess of $100,000 in campaign funds without a purpose. Second-quarter campaign fundraising numbers have not been released yet, but Patronis pulled in more than $90,000 in the first quarter.
Patronis said he didn’t know how much he raised in the second quarter but it would be less because he stopped fundraising after he made his decision. Some of the money has been spent and some will cover outstanding bills, but the rest will go back to the donors, Patronis said.
“All those dollars were given to me in order to campaign for state Senate. The only right thing to do is return back everything I got at a pro-rata share,” he said.