BROOKHAVEN — Former Florida House of Representative and Brookhaven native Joel Rudman is running for congress. He announced his resignation from the Florida House of Representatives as he plans to run for the congressional seat vacated by embattled Matt Gaetz. 

Gaetz resigned from his position in the US House of Representatives after President Elect Donald Trump nominated him to be the nation’s Attorney General. However, Gaetz withdrew his nomination for attorney general amidst allegations of sexual misconduct according to the Associated Press. AP reported Gaetz said he would not be coming back to congress. 

A special primary election for the seat vacated by Gaetz will be held on Jan. 28, 2025 followed by a general election on April 1, 2025.

Rudman is a family physician and previously worked as NASCAR’s staff physician for Daytona International Speedway. He was first elected to Florida’s House of Representatives in 2022. 

The Brookhaven native graduated from Brookhaven High School, earned a bachelors degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and a masters degree from Ole Miss. His campaign slogan is “We need a doctor in the house.”