Congressman Matt Gaetz again dismissed speculation about a potential 2026 gubernatorial bid after a new poll showed him as a leading contender, reiterating his intent to remain in Congress.
Congressman Matt Gaetz on Sunday dismissed renewed speculation about his potential candidacy for Florida governor, following the release of a poll showing him as a leading contender for the 2026 race.
With Gov. Ron DeSantis precluded from seeking a third consecutive term, discussions regarding his potential successor have gained momentum, with Gaetz emerging as a potential frontrunner in the speculative discourse, a narrative propelled by media conjecture and conversations within the Capitol.
New polling, first published by Florida Politics on Saturday, showed Gaetz leading a hypothetical gubernatorial race with 12 percent, ahead of several candidates including congressional colleagues Reps. Byron Donalds and Mike Waltz.
Following the publication, however, Gaetz rebuffed the nascent campaign rumblings, asserting that he intends to remain on Capitol Hill in Washington.
“I have no plans to run for Florida Governor,” Gaetz wrote on X. “I believe God has me exactly where I’m supposed to be at the moment, working for FL-01. That said, it is incredibly heartwarming and humbling that so many polls show Floridians trust me atop the other choices for the job.”
This is not the first time Gaetz has refuted claims of a gubernatorial bid. In 2023, a University of North Florida (UNF) Public Opinon Research Lab poll also listed him as a top contender, placing him in a tie for second with Rep. Donalds, behind First Lady Casey DeSantis. Notably, the latest poll excluded the First Lady from consideration as a candidate.
“You all in Tallahassee didn’t have to do this,” Gaetz remarked after the UNF poll.
Speculation about Gaetz’s potential candidacy was further fueled by Donald Trump Jr., who, during an August 2023 livestream, offered a “pre-endorsement” for Gaetz should he decide to run. Nevertheless, Gaetz has consistently dismissed the idea, initially rejecting the possibility after NBC News reported in September 2023 that he was widely expected to pursue the office.
“I encountered dozens of former colleagues from my time in the state legislature who encouraged me to return to Florida, but I wasn’t focused on those discussions,” Gaetz told Axios.
Adding another layer of interest to the political landscape, Gaetz’s father, Don Gaetz, announced his candidacy for Florida Senate District 1 in October 2023. A powerful figure in Florida politics, the elder Gaetz previously served in the state legislature from 2006 to 2016, including a term as Senate President from 2012 to 2014. He has also held key positions, including serving on the Florida Commission on Ethics and chairing the Triumph Gulf Coast board from 2018 to 2022.