Gaetz Drops Attorney General Bid, Sparks Gubernatorial Speculation
Former Congressman Matt Gaetz appears to have set his sights on a run for Florida governor in 2026, following his recent withdrawal from consideration for attorney general. Gaetz stepped aside from the attorney general bid on Thursday, citing concerns that his confirmation process had become a distraction to President-elect Donald Trump’s administration.
In a statement posted on X, Gaetz wrote, “While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition.” Trump later expressed his support on Truth Social, praising Matt Gaetz’s efforts and hinting at a bright political future, saying, “Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!”
The speculation about a gubernatorial run gained traction when Florida State Rep. Anthony Sabatini predicted on X that Gaetz would become the next governor of Florida. Gaetz responded to the post with a gif of the Florida state flag, fueling rumors of his interest in succeeding current Governor Ron DeSantis, who will term out in 2026.
Challenges and Controversies Surrounding Gaetz
Matt Gaetz’s potential gubernatorial ambitions come amidst a backdrop of legal and ethical controversies. His attorney general bid was marred by renewed attention to allegations from a sex-trafficking investigation. While the Department of Justice declined to pursue charges in 2023, the House Ethics Committee continued its probe into claims, including accusations of a sexual encounter with a 17-year-old in 2017. Gaetz has consistently denied wrongdoing in both cases.
CNN reported that Gaetz withdrew from the attorney general race shortly after being contacted about the allegations. Despite the controversies, Gaetz remains a polarizing figure in Florida politics, admired by his supporters for his unapologetic conservatism and criticized by opponents for his legal troubles and divisive rhetoric.
Florida has maintained a strong Republican hold on the governor’s office since Jeb Bush’s victory in 1998. If Gaetz enters the race, his chances in the Republican primary could depend on the political landscape and the lingering impact of past controversies.
Gaetz Eyes New Political Horizons
Although Matt Gaetz announced he would not seek re-election to Congress in 2024, he has made it clear that he intends to remain active in politics. Speaking on Charlie Kirk’s podcast last week, Gaetz said, “I’m still going to be in the fight, but it’s going to be from a new perch.” He described his decision as an opportunity for “great new blood” to represent Florida’s 1st Congressional District while hinting at his own evolving political career.
For now, Gaetz appears to be taking some time to enjoy personal pursuits, including fishing, spending time with his wife, Ginger, and creating Cameo videos for supporters. However, his recent moves and statements suggest that a 2026 gubernatorial bid could be on the horizon, adding yet another chapter to the unpredictable career of one of Florida’s most controversial political figures.
With Governor Ron DeSantis’s departure looming, the 2026 governor’s race is expected to be a major political showdown. Whether Matt Gaetz’s appeal and resilience can translate into success on the state level remains to be seen.
