Gay Valimont

Jennifer Gay Gillespie Valimont (née Gillespie; born October 19, 1972) is an American politician and gun control activist. A member of the Democratic Party, she was unsuccessful in running for Representative of Florida’s 1st Congressional District in 2024 and 2025. She was defeated by Republicans.

 Early life and education 
Valimont was born in Thomaston, Georgia. She earned a bachelor's degree in health and exercise science from Georgia Southern University. She earned a master's degree in education from Troy State University.

 Career 
Valimont started her career in sports medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. She was working with high school athletes and the Atlanta Falcons. After moving to Gulf Breeze, Florida, she stayed home to take care of her family. 

Horrified by the numerous deaths of children and teachers in the Sandy Hook elementary school shooting in 2012, she became an activist for gun control. She volunteered with Everytown for Gun Safety. 

In February 2016, she became the Florida leader of the organization, which lobbied lawmakers in the Florida Capitol to gain  stronger gun laws. She served in that position until 2023.

 U.S. House of Representatives elections 
2024

Valimont was the Democratic candidate for Florida's 1st congressional district in  2024. On November 5, 2024, she lost to Representative Matt Gaetz, the Republican incumbent who won with 66% of the vote.

2025

On November 13, 2024, president-elect Donald Trump nominated Matt Gaetz for US Attorney general.He resigned his congressional seat and a special election was held for the rest of his termhat meant he resigned. This caused a special election.

On November 15, 2024, Valimont said that she was going to run in the special election. The special election was going to be on April 1, 2025. The Democratic primary for the office on January 28, 2025, was canceled, as Valimont was the only candidate.Florida Department of State Campaign Documentation (Miscellaneous).

She raised 6.5 million dollars, more than her opponent, Republican Jimmy Patronis. The two candidates raised a total of $15.7 million. 75% of those donations were for $200 or less.

Valimont lost the election to Patronis. But she flipped Escambia County, a former Trump stronghold. She was the first Democrat to win the county since Earl Hutto in 1992.

 Personal life 
Now widowed, Valimont lives in Gulf Breeze, Florida.  She was married to the late Robert “Brian” Valimont, an engineer, who died from ALS in 2022.  Their son, Eli Valimont, had died 6 months earlier at the age of nine from a brain tumor.

References

Category:Living people
Category:1972 births
Category:Democratic Party (United States) politicians
Category:Politicians from Georgia (U.S. state)