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.

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.)

Matt Gaetz, former Florida congressman and short-lived nominee for attorney general, told multiple outlets that he is considering a bid for Florida governor. His comments come weeks after the House Ethics Committee released a bombshell report claiming he paid for sex with a 17-year-old.

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.