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.

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.

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

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.

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.)

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.

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,

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 ...

The former congressman was the focus of a House Ethics panel report accusing him of “regularly” paying for sex and using drugs, which helped doom his short-lived nomination for attorney general.

Former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, who withdrew as President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general following a House Ethics Committee report accusing him of sexual misconduct and drug use, said he is considering a run for Florida governor in 2026.

Florida’s Governor isn’t exactly enthusiastic about a Congressman seeking a promotion, citing the slender House majority greeting President-elect Donald Trump as a “big practical concern” for U.S. Rep. Cory Mills to stay put.