By Jasper Ward
(Reuters) – Former U.S. Representative Matt Gaetz said he is “starting to think about running for governor” in 2026 in his home state of Florida.
“I have a compelling vision for the state,” Gaetz told the Tampa Bay Times. “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.”
The three-term congressman, who represented Florida, resigned in November, after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump chose him as the next U.S. attorney general. He withdrew from consideration for that job amid a storm of controversy.
Gaetz was under investigation by the House Ethics Committee over alleged illicit drug use and of having sex with an underage 17-year-old girl. While he has denied wrongdoing, the committee found last month that he had paid tens of thousands of dollars to women for drugs and sex.
Florida has a limit of two consecutive four-year terms for governor. As a result, Florida will have to elect a new governor in 2026 once incumbent Ron DeSantis, who is already serving his second term, leaves office.
(Reporting by Jasper Ward; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)
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