Gaetz announced he was resigning his seat in November after President-elect Donald Trump picked him to be his attorney general. However, allegations of sexual misconduct dogged Gaetz’s nomination, and he ultimately withdrew his name from consideration.

Gaetz has long been considered a top contender for the GOP gubernatorial nomination in 2026, when incumbent Gov. Ron DeSantis is term-limited.

UCF Political Science Lecturer John Hanley joined FOX 35's Garrett Wymer on Florida Live to break down former Congressman Matt Gaetz reportedly telling the Tampa Bay Times he would consider running for Florida Governor to replace Ron DeSantis in 2026,

Former MAGA congressman, Donald Trump’s first choice for US attorney general, now considering run to succeed term-limited Ron DeSantis in 2026

Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Florida Republican, told Fox News Digital on Wednesday that he is "reviewing the opportunity" of possibly mounting a gubernatorial bid. The former House lawmaker noted that if he ultimately decides to throw his hat into the ring, he would need to engage in "active steps toward a run" toward the end of 2025.

House members applauded an official announcement on Friday that former Republican Representative Matt Gaetz will not return to Congress this term. Newsweek reached out to One America News Network, which airs The Matt Gaetz Show, for comment from Gaetz via email on Friday.

U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson and Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody have each been rumored to be considering a run for the Republican nomination. (Moody is also widely seen as the top candidate to be DeSantis’ choice to succeed Marco Rubio in the Senate.)

Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday named state Attorney General Ashley Moody to the US Senate, choosing a staunch ally to fill the seat set to be vacated by Marco Rubio, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for secretary of state.

Ron DeSantis speaks during a campaign event on May 31 ... for two congressional seats that opened up when President-elect Donald Trump named U.S. Reps. Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz as Cabinet picks. Shortly after Gaetz and Waltz resigned, DeSantis called ...

Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today. From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The ...

The attorney general of Florida is supposed to represent the people of the state, not serve as counsel for the governor. Ashley Moody never understood that, but it’s worked out nicely for

Bill Cotterell is a retired Capitol reporter for United Press International and the Tallahassee Democrat. He can be reached at [email protected].