Santa Rosa's Press Gazette

U.S. Rep. Jimmy Patronis.

Patronis touts his results ahead of August primary

U.S. Rep. Jimmy Patronis says the job is more fun than he expected.

Fifteen months into a congressional career that began with an April 2025 special election, the Panama City native has a theory about why Washington has been friendlier to him than advertised: Half of Congress already loves his district.

“You’ve got all these members of Congress from Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas. They all vacation in Northwest Florida,” Patronis said. “We’re their closest beaches. For me, being a product of the hospitality industry, I love to entertain.”

Whether that’s enough for voters is the question on Aug. 18. Patronis, 54, faces former Army Green Beret John Frankman and Navy veteran Doug Chico in the Republican primary. Waiting in November is Democrat Gay Valimont, who lost to Patronis by 9 percentage points in the April 2025 special election but carried Escambia County.

Patronis has endorsements from President Donald Trump for the second straight election cycle. On July 6, Patronis also secured endorsements from all four sheriffs in the district.

More Coverage

17-year-old Milton resident killed in DUI crash

A 17-year-old Milton teenager died after being ejected from a vehicle involved in a single-vehicle crash on Munson Highway on July 15.

Santa Rosa Medical Center gives $15K to Pace Athletic Recreation Association

Santa Rosa Medical Center has announced they have donated $15,000 to the Pace Athletic Recreation Association (PARA) for their commitment to community service and health to the local community.

Jay man dies in Navarre car accident

A 36-year-old Jay man was killed on July 11 in a two-vehicle crash, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Santa Rosa County to host Tropical Town Hall

With peak hurricane season quickly approaching, officials from Santa Rosa County Emergency Management are inviting residents to get prepared with their Tropical Town Hall on July 21.

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Sports

Pace’s football field will have a coaching legend’s name on it

Advertorials

How to prepare for a hurricane: Safety tips from FPL

Community

Operation Safety Cone returns to Milton for second year

Shoutout to Milton High School

I want to give a shout-out to the staff at Milton High School! It is obvious how deeply the staff cares about the kids and how hard they work every day to ensure every student’s needs are met. While no school is perfect, their genuine concern and dedication truly make all the difference.

Shoutout to unnamed very caring individuals

My husband and I were waiting outside a local restaurant to meet friends for dinner. We observed a woman holding the arm of a man with a cane. He was having great difficulty stepping down from the curb to get to his vehicle. It appeared that he might have been recovering from a stroke. My husband walked over to assist them. The three were quickly joined by other adults, young and old. After awhile, the group was able, with care and patience, to help him step off the curb and to his vehicle.