Polling Average
40%30%20%10%0%
11.6%
31.8%
20.4%
Florida Republican Governor nominee?
$11.1M
AUG 19, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleFormer U.S. Representative
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyTrump-aligned Republican
Age44 years old (May 7, 1982)
GenderMale
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LocationFlorida
BackgroundAttorney
EducationFlorida State University — B.S. (2003)
Notable personal detailsMatthew Louis Gaetz II is an American politician and attorney who served as the U.S. representative for Florida's 1st congressional district from 2017 until resigning on 2024-11-13. He previously served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2010 to 2016. He earned a B.S. from Florida State University and a J.D. from the College of William & Mary Law School and worked in private legal practice.
SourcesShowHide
history.house.govfec.goven.wikipedia.orgcongress.govx.comcbsnews.comwikidata.orgloc.govflsenate.govivoterguide.comgovinfo.govjustfacts.votesmart.orgclerk.house.govipaddress.comndtv.comhouse.govlegilist.compublic.lobbytools.comlegit.nguwf.edutmcf.orgmattgaetz.comontheissues.orgfloridadaily.comfloridapolitics.comdailysignal.comscnr.comwashingtonexaminer.comflvoicenews.comtheiowastandard.comfoxnews.comcnbc.comclimateone.orgfoxbusiness.comforbes.combusinessinsider.comnewsweek.compolitico.comtheguardian.comtimesfreepress.comstocktonia.orgrollcall.comcronkitenews.azpbs.orgabcnews.comfloridaphoenix.commiamiherald.comscdailygazette.comwashingtonpost.commiamitimesonline.com2paragraphs.comcoloradopols.comjudiciary.house.govethics.house.govoversight.house.govarmedservices.house.govcommons.wikimedia.orgupload.wikimedia.orgradiotv.house.govlatta.house.govdirectory.house.govcha.house.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports major tax cuts and free-market policies, has repeatedly voted for tax reductions and deregulation, and has proposed legislation to eliminate taxes on tips. He has endorsed replacing the income tax with a national sales tax (FairTax) in the past and frames tax cuts as a path to economic growth and reduced government size.
Healthcare
Supports repeal of the Affordable Care Act and favors conservative, market-based health‑care reforms rather than expanded government programs. Has repeatedly urged repeal of Obamacare and backed Republican replacement efforts. Advocated restricting federal roles in health programs and opposed COVID vaccine/pass digital health mandates tied to federal funding.
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Immigration & Border
Supports restrictionist and enforcement-focused immigration policies, including ending unqualified birthright citizenship and tightening border controls; has introduced legislation to limit birthright citizenship and has called for shutting the southern border and other strong enforcement measures.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports strong legal restrictions on abortion and identifies as "pro‑life without exception." Has sponsored and backed legislation to ban taxpayer-funded abortions, defund Planned Parenthood, and extend legal protection to unborn life (life begins at conception).
Climate & Energy
Supports acknowledging that the Earth is warming but favors market-driven, innovation-focused responses and reduced regulation rather than aggressive federal mandates; has proposed a Republican “Green Real Deal” emphasizing clean energy investment through private-sector innovation while opposing expanded EPA regulation.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports expansive Second Amendment rights, opposes 'red flag' laws and other new restrictions, and has advocated for policies that expand carrying rights and reciprocity. Holds a lifetime NRA membership and an A/A+ rating from the NRA and has made public statements characterizing the Second Amendment as a bulwark against government overreach.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 15, 2026
Matt Gaetz is being discussed in the context of Democrats’ 2026 anti-corruption messaging, which is aimed at allegations of self-dealing and favoritism among Trump allies and congressional Republicans. Separate Florida polling shows Republicans holding only single-digit leads in the state’s 2026 governor and Senate races, suggesting a more competitive environment. Recent coverage also highlights GOP-backed election and redistricting fights, including stricter voter ID rules and map-drawing battles that could shape the 2026 contests.
history.house.gov+60
Articles
NNewsweek5 months ago
Democrats’ Chances of Defeating Republicans To Flip Florida: New Poll
Neutral
NNNBC News2 months ago
Democrats zero in on an anti-corruption message: From the Politics Desk
Negative
SDSan Diego Union-Tribune3 months ago
DeSantis bans local DEI funding, citing bias against white men
Neutral
FForbes5 months ago
Trump Made Higher Ed A Target, More States Are Taking Dead Aim At It
Neutral
Polls
Florida Republican Governor nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
Florida Republican Governor nominee?
Endorsers of Matt Gaetz for Florida Republican Governor nominee?
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$6.8M
$5.1M
$3.4M
$1.7M
$0
2024
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2024
$6.8M
$518.2K
$6.8M
$284.3K
Cycle 2026
$176.4K
$37.3K
$657.2K
$36.5K
Source: FEC