Former Congressman Matt Gaetz has confirmed he is “reviewing the opportunity” to run for Governor of Florida in 2026. The announcement follows his resignation from Congress last November after being tapped by President Trump to serve as U.S. Attorney General, a nomination he ultimately withdrew due to intense political backlash.
Speaking to Fox News, Gaetz revealed he plans to make a final decision by the end of the year, stating he would take “active steps toward a run” if he decides to pursue the governorship. Gaetz voiced concerns over rising costs for Florida residents, vowing to take on the special interests he blames for the state’s financial challenges.
“I know how to fight the special interests who’ve increased prices in my home state,” Gaetz said, positioning himself as a champion for Florida’s working families.
Adding fuel to speculation, Gaetz recently posted a cryptic tweet pledging to “fight to save our country from a different post.” Days later, he shared an image of the Florida state flag on X (formerly Twitter), sparking widespread rumors about his gubernatorial ambitions.
Gaetz’s prospects for a gubernatorial run appear strong. Recent polling shows him leading in a hypothetical matchup against notable figures, including Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL), Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), and State Senator Shevrin Jones (D-FL).
The current governor, Ron DeSantis, is unable to seek reelection due to term limits, leaving a wide-open field for candidates to vie for the state’s top position.
Gaetz’s potential gubernatorial run comes amid lingering controversy over a reopened House Ethics Committee investigation into allegations that were previously dismissed by the Department of Justice (DOJ).
In February 2023, the DOJ dropped all charges against Gaetz, exonerating him of allegations of sex trafficking and other misconduct. However, the Ethics Committee, led by both Democrats and Republicans, continued its investigation, even after Gaetz resigned from Congress and became a private citizen.
The committee released a report late last year alleging that Gaetz had engaged in misconduct, including accusations of paying women for sex. Gaetz has vehemently denied the claims, labeling them as politically motivated.
“This is political payback, plain and simple,” Gaetz said, calling the investigation “a deeply flawed exercise, riddled with leaks and devoid of due process.”
Gaetz has aggressively defended himself against the allegations. In a series of tweets, he shared testimony from witnesses, including one of the women named in the allegations, who denied any wrongdoing on Gaetz’s part.
“This is testimony from one of the alleged ‘prostitutes’ that you won’t see in the report!” Gaetz tweeted. “Giving funds to someone you are dating – that they didn’t ask for – and that isn’t ‘charged’ for sex is now prostitution?!?”
Gaetz also provided evidence that a key witness fabricated allegations against him in exchange for a reduced prison sentence.
Following his resignation from Congress, Gaetz joined One America News Network (OANN) as the host of “The Matt Gaetz Show,” a primetime program where he frequently addresses political issues and pushes back against his critics.
Gaetz’s departure from Congress also coincided with his withdrawal from consideration for Attorney General, citing the “unfair distraction” caused by what he described as a smear campaign by the “Deep State” and “RINOs” (Republicans in Name Only).
If Gaetz enters the gubernatorial race, he would bring significant name recognition and a loyal base of supporters. However, he also carries substantial baggage, with opponents likely to use the Ethics Committee’s findings and the earlier DOJ investigation as political ammunition.
Despite this, Gaetz remains defiant, framing himself as a fighter willing to take on entrenched interests and political elites. His close ties to Trump and his role in ousting former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy further cement his image as a disruptor.
With DeSantis term-limited and Florida’s political landscape shifting, the 2026 gubernatorial race promises to be a high-stakes battle. Gaetz’s potential candidacy would inject a new level of intensity into the contest, particularly if he can consolidate support from Trump-aligned Republicans.
For now, Gaetz continues to keep his cards close, promising to address the speculation during his appearance on OANN tonight. Whether he officially throws his hat in the ring or continues to build suspense, one thing is clear: Matt Gaetz is not stepping out of the political spotlight anytime soon.
