In an ongoing feud between Rep. Matt Gaetz and former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Gaetz is now facing a primary challenge as he seeks to hold onto his seat in the Florida panhandle's 1st Congressional District. The primary race against Aaron Dimmock, a former Navy officer, is the latest in a series of challenges linked to McCarthy's ouster from the speakership last year.

The intense rift between Gaetz and McCarthy began when Gaetz successfully led an effort to remove McCarthy from his role as speaker, making McCarthy the first person in history to be ousted in a House vote. McCarthy's removal came as a result of frustration among Republicans, including Gaetz, with his handling of maneuvers to avoid a government shutdown.

Since McCarthy's ouster, a string of primary challenges aligned with the former speaker have surfaced. Earlier this year, McCarthy-aligned challengers secured victories against Rep. Bob Good in Virginia, while Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina successfully defended her seat against a McCarthy-backed primary challenge.

For Gaetz, the primary against Dimmock marks the final leg of McCarthy's so-called revenge tour. Gaetz has been targeted by a McCarthy-linked group through an extensive advertising campaign, featuring allegations against him, including accusations of engaging in sexual activities with a minor. While the Justice Department declined to charge Gaetz after an investigation into alleged sex trafficking, the House Ethics Committee has announced that some of the allegations merit further review.

McCarthy has suggested that his ouster was a result of Gaetz's personal grievances, as McCarthy allowed the ethics investigation into Gaetz's alleged conduct to proceed. The tension between the two was apparent at the Republican National Convention last month, where Gaetz heckled McCarthy during a live interview.

Despite the ongoing feud, Gaetz, a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump, remains the frontrunner in the primary race and is expected to secure the GOP nomination. With the solidly red district supporting Gaetz, he is favored to win the general election in November as well.

However, the battle with McCarthy and the lingering allegations could have long-term ramifications for Gaetz's political future. While Gaetz has denied all allegations against him and stated that he has no plans to run for governor in 2026, the controversy surrounding him could potentially impact his aspirations beyond his current role in Congress.

As the primary election takes place on Tuesday, all eyes will be on Gaetz's campaign as he seeks to secure his seat and continue his political trajectory in Washington.