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US Politics

Wisconsin and Florida special elections provide early warning signs to Trump, Republicans

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A trio of elections on Tuesday provided early warning signs to Republicans and President Donald Trump at the beginning of an ambitious term.

Democrats rallied against his efforts to slash the federal government and the outsize role being played by billionaire Elon Musk .

A conservative judge endorsed by Trump and backed by Musk and his groups to the tune of $21 million lost by a significant margin in a state Trump won in November .

While Florida Republicans held two of the most pro-Trump House districts in the country, both candidates also underperformed Trump 's November margins.

Jimmy Patronis , the state’s chief financial officer, fended off a challenge from Democrat Gay Valimont to win the northwest Florida seat vacated by Matt Gaetz .

The pair of wins gave Republicans a 220 -213 margin in the House of Representatives .

For voters in both districts, the clear draw was Trump .