Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) sparked intense speculation about his political future Saturday by teasing a potential run for Florida governor. This comes just days after withdrawing from consideration as President-elect Donald Trump’s Attorney General and resigning from Congress.
Gaetz stirred the pot with a bold response to former Florida State Rep. Anthony Sabatini’s (R) prediction on X that Gaetz “will be the next Governor of the State of Florida.” Gaetz posted a GIF of the Florida state flag, fueling chatter about a 2026 gubernatorial bid.
https://t.co/yDMNvCAGJm pic.twitter.com/Z8mPniNUeS
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) November 23, 2024
With Gov. Ron DeSantis term-limited after transforming Florida into a Republican stronghold, the field is wide open. Gaetz’s unapologetic MAGA brand would likely energize the Trump-aligned base and cement Florida’s conservative dominance.
But Gaetz isn’t the only name in the mix. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, First Lady Casey DeSantis, and Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) are all rumored contenders.
This isn’t Gaetz’s only option. The soon-to-be-vacant Senate seat of Marco Rubio, Trump’s pick for Secretary of State, has also been floated as a possibility.
Gaetz’s decision to step back from Congress shows he’s playing the long game. Whether it’s Tallahassee or Washington, one thing is clear: Gaetz isn’t fading away—he’s gearing up for a new chapter.
