Jeff Witt to Newsmax: Inflation Key Factor in Seeking Matt Gaetz's Florida Seat

Jeff Witt, a Florida Republican vying to succeed Matt Gaetz for Florida's 1st Congressional District seat, told Newsmax on Tuesday that getting inflation under control is his key goal for serving in office.

"I know that we need to get inflation down," Witt, a U.S. Air Force veteran, told Newsmax's "Wake Up America." "We need to get all of President [-elect Donald] Trump's agenda passed to get inflation down and get our economy going again."

Witt is a retired fighter pilot who flew 82 combat missions with the Air National Guard in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. He is also a Harvard graduate who is working as a policy adviser for Trump's transition team.

Florida GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis announced on Friday that a primary election to succeed Gaetz, who resigned from Congress after becoming Trump's initial nominee for attorney general, will be held on Jan. 28, with a general election for the seat taking place on April 1.

Witt told Newsmax on Tuesday that he wants to represent Florida's 1st District for several reasons.

"I'm a veteran," he said. "This is the heaviest veteran district in the country, and I believe they deserve to have somebody who has worn the uniform representing them in Congress."

Witt, a father of four, also said he wants to fight for the country's future for his children's sake and, "thirdly, because I'm a businessman."

The key issue, though, is inflation, said Witt.

"I mean, trying to raise four kids here, my wife and I, the grocery bills are way too high," he said. "I think the key to getting inflation down is to unlock our energy economy … energy prices lie at the core of all prices in the economy, and if we can reduce prices there, we can reduce inflation and prices across the board."

Witt further promised to be Trump's "most vocal proponent in Congress."

"I will be fighting for his agenda every day," he said. "No one will work harder than I will to get that agenda passed because I think it is crucial to getting this country back on track."

Witt added that he also fully supports Trump's call to deport immigrants who are in the country illegally.

"We've got to shut off the borders," he said. "We have illegals flowing into this country who are dangerous. Unfortunately, we know that to be true based on the violence that's happening across our country. The Laken Riley murder case that was on TV a week ago was absolutely heartbreaking, and we've got to stop that."

Drugs are also a serious problem in Florida's 1st District, said Witt.

"Fentanyl and the opioid crisis are killing our youth," he said. "We've got to cut that off."

Human trafficking is also a "real issue" for Florida, Witt said, pointing out that his state is the "third worst state in the country" for the problem.

"The border contributes massively to that, so I fully support the president's policies with respect to the border," said Witt.

He also commented on Trump's selection to replace Gaetz as his nominee for attorney general.

"I think Pam Bondi did a terrific job as attorney general of the state of Florida, and I think everything I've heard about her plans for the Justice Department when she takes office is spot on. I'm very excited, and I very much support her taking that position. I'm excited to partner with her in Washington."

The field for the upcoming primary is already becoming crowded. Other Republicans announcing their campaigns include state Reps. Michelle Salzman and Joel Rudman, educator Kevin Gaffney, businesswoman Bernadette Pittman, former Green Beret John Frankman, former U.S. Senate candidate Keith Gross, and Escambia County Commissioner Gene Valentino.

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