In Florida primary, Matt Gaetz is fighting a battle over the future identity of the GOP

At a bit of a homecoming rally in Niceville, Fla., Congressman Matt Gaetz had news.

“I got a call from President Trump,” said Gaetz, who is running for reelection. “He said Matt, we got to get ready for these debates, be at Mar-a-Lago.”

Former President Donald Trump is a big deal to this crowd in the Florida Panhandle, and Gaetz's relationship with the party's nominee is a big selling point in this primary race.

The state’s 1st Congressional District is one of the reddest in the country. And the Republican primary has become the epicenter of a battle for who controls the party’s brand. Gaetz is facing off against a primary opponent who is backed by former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., in an ongoing feud where both sides argue that the future of the GOP is at stake.

Gaetz, who has raised more than $5 million this election cycle, is racing to get an overwhelming boost from voters on primary election day on Tuesday. Polls have shown he’s had a decisive lead in the race, but he’s facing a well-funded moderate Republican.

That opponent, retired Navy pilot Aaron Dimmock, is backed by McCarthy and his allies.

“Usually I've had a resource advantage when I've run,” Gaetz told NPR. “I’m going to be outspent 3 or 4 to 1 in this contest because Kevin McCarthy has mobilized the millions of dollars he had in his political committees to run advertisements against me.”

McCarthy and his allies did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

A personal feud persists

Polls show Gaetz maintains a potentially decisive lead in the race. But McCarthy's spending has not flagged.

McCarthy blames Gaetz for losing his speakership because he didn’t block a House Ethics Committee probe tied to sex trafficking and drug allegations.

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