Matt Gaetz rejects speculation of a 2026 Florida governor bid

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz rejected the notion he plans to run for governor in 2026.

The seat will be open for the 2026 election, with Gov. Ron DeSantis being termed out and exiting office in January 2027.

“I have no plans to run for governor,” Gaetz said Monday evening.

Gaetz served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2010 to 2016, when he won a contested, crowded primary for his current U.S. House of Representatives seat in District 1.

The congressman is an ardent supporter of former President Donald Trump. Trump had recently offered kind words to Gaetz when asked about the congressman’s potential gubernatorial bid.

“Matt Gaetz for Florida governor?” Trump was asked.

“Well, he’s a great guy,” Trump said. “I mean, he’s great. He’s a wonderful person. He’s strong. He went through Hell for two years over something that I never believed for a second, and he held up very strong. He was very strong.”

Gaetz had also gained a “pre-endorsement” for governor with the blessing of Donald Trump Jr. – the former president’s son – and Trump Jr.’s partner, Kimberly Guilfoyle.

“Matt Gaetz for governor!” Trump Jr. had said.

“I want him to run for governor,” Guilfoyle said.

“I would definitely enjoy that job so much,” Gaetz said. “I would never leave it if I ever got that opportunity.”

Gaetz had responded saying he’s “not in the race yet,” but joked he now has his “first volunteer.”

The representative had gained prominence in conservative politics late-2023 when he succeed in ousting California Republican Rep. Kevin McCarthy from the speakership.

In commenting on the gubernatorial rumors, Gaetz on Monday was reacting to a new proposal in the Florida Legislature bringing back runoff primary elections to the state in time for the 2026 gubernatorial election.

A late-filed committee bill modifies election law to require a second primary election if a candidate in his or her party’s primary does not obtain a majority vote in the first round.

“Runoff elections cost taxpayers millions, increase targets for fraudsters and empower establishment candidates over firebrands. They are a bad idea,” Gaetz said. “You guys in Tallahassee didn’t have to do this. I have no plans to run for governor.”

Gaetz won his seat to the U.S. House of Representatives in a crowded primary in 2016, achieving 36.1% of the vote.

“I’ve said for a while – I think I’m exactly where I am supposed to be,” Gaetz said. “That said, it’s nuts to suggest that Florida should change 20 years of election law in 2 weeks with a last minute bill.”