Former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz, who recently withdrew his name from consideration for an appointment as U.S. Attorney General under President-Elect Trump, has announced that he is considering a campaign to become the next governor of Florida in 2026.
Following a House Ethics report that cited multiple incidents involving Gaetz’s sexual activities with a minor, it became apparent that he did not have the necessary votes for confirmation by the Senate, prompting his withdrawal.
Currently hosting a show on One America News, Gaetz expressed to the Tampa Bay Times that he has a “compelling vision for the state.”
Gaetz has long been viewed as a top contender for the GOP gubernatorial nomination in 2026, especially since incumbent Governor Ron DeSantis will be term-limited by then. He claims he can address significant issues in Florida, such as rising home insurance premiums. “I understand how to fix the insurance problem, and it’s not to hand the keys to the state over to the insurance industry,” Gaetz stated. “If I run, I would be the most pro-consumer candidate on the Republican side.”
Before officially entering the race, Gaetz mentioned that he needed to pray and discuss the possibility with his wife, Ginger. He also dismissed the ethics report’s serious allegations, saying, “Those lies have been told about me for years. They’ve never affected my ability to win elections.”
Since leaving office, Gaetz has joined Cameo, charging hundreds of dollars for personalized video messages, and has debuted his own show on the right-wing One America News Network.
