Matt Gaetz Says He Isn’t Running for Governor. Nobody Seems to Believe Him.

Florida Republicans and Democrats alike are already plotting for a race Gaetz insists isn’t happening.

Matt Gaetz

Rep. Matt Gaetz insists he isn’t running for governor. Alex Brandon/AP

Political insiders in Florida — Republicans and Democrats — are obsessed with the possibility of Rep. Matt Gaetz running for governor even though Gaetz insists he’s not interested in the job.

Gov. Ron DeSantis still has two years left in his term, but Democrats have already identified Gaetz as a candidate they’d like to run against — convinced they could beat a conservative firebrand statewide. Meanwhile, Florida Republicans are certain Gaetz’s popularity with MAGA Republicans and former President Donald Trump will ultimately push him into the race.

“Matt Gaetz is extremely popular with the base, and he’s a threat to any other candidate that wants to run. That’s why people are talking about him,” Joe Gruters, the former chair of the Florida Republican Party, told NOTUS.