BREAKING: Matt Gaetz ‘100% In’ On Running For Florida Governor In 2026: ‘My Only Focus Now Is Trump 2024’

On Monday, NBC News released a report claiming Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) is “100 percent in” on running for Florida governor in 2026, which would be the final nail in current absentee Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ (R-FL) political career.

In 2026, the field for Florida governor is expected to be crowded due to Ron DeSantis’ facing term limits. When DeSantis’ campaign against President Donald Trump fails, he will have two years remaining as governor. 

During a recent event in Tallahassee, Florida, Gaetz “strongly implied several times he would be running for governor,” according to NBC News.

Gaetz made clear his only current political focus is ensuring President Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election, saying, “My only political focus right now is Trump 2024.”

“Many did encourage me to consider running for governor one day. But we have an outstanding governor who will be in that position through 2026,” Gaetz also said during the Sunday event.

"Gaetz was a top adviser to DeSantis’ 2018 gubernatorial bid, but the two have since had a falling out. Gaetz has become among the most vocal backers of Trump, whose presidential campaign now leads in most primary polling by significant margins over the rest of the field," NBC News reports.

A Florida GOP operative told NBC News that Gaetz is “100 percent in. I think Gaetz is an instant front-runner and from what I hear he’s already won the Trump primary.”

Gaetz has been a fierce defender and supporter of President Trump, famously voting for "Donald John Trump" to become speaker of the House in January 2023, voting against then-House Speaker-hopeful Kevin McCarthy.

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