Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) said he may run for Florida governor in 2026.
Speaking to the Tampa Bay Times, Gaetz said he is “starting to think about running for governor.”
“I have a compelling vision for the state,” he said. “I understand how to fix the insurance problem, and it’s not to hand the keys to the state over to the insurance industry. If I run, I would be the most pro-consumer candidate on the Republican side.”
Discussing the recently released House Ethics report, which alleged he participated in illegal activity, Gaetz told the publication that those “lies have been told about me for years,” noting the claims have “never affected my ability to win elections.”
Gaetz stepped down from the House of Representatives after incoming President Donald Trump nominated him to serve as the U.S. Attorney General. He later withdrew his name from consideration.
Following his departure from Congress, Gaetz launched a show on One America News Network.
OAN confirmed the show in a press release. “The former eight-year member of the U.S. Congress and recent U.S. Attorney General nominee will be hosting a one-hour political talk show every weeknight. Mr. Gaetz’s program, branded ‘The Matt Gaetz Show,’ is scheduled to air in [the] coveted time slot of 6 pm Pacific, 9 pm Eastern every weeknight,” OAN said. “With Gaetz rounding out OAN’s prime-time lineup, the network is poised for a groundbreaking 2025, reaffirming its mission to deliver credible, independent news and unfiltered commentary to audiences across the nation.”
