Polling Average
40%30%20%10%0%
11.6%
31.8%
20.4%
Florida Republican Governor nominee?
$11.3M
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 lawyer and Republican politician who represented Florida’s 1st congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2017 to 2024. Before Congress, he served in the Florida House of Representatives (2010–2016) and worked as an attorney in private practice. He earned a B.S. from Florida State University (2003) and a J.D. from the College of William & Mary (2007).
SourcesShowHide
govinfo.goven.wikipedia.orgwikidata.orgbritannica.comlinktr.eefamousbirthdays.comcontactrepresentatives.orges.wikipedia.orgtvinsider.compoundpuplegacy.orgpublic.lobbytools.comastrotheme.comimdb.comxwhos.comenglishwiki.en-us.nina.azlegilist.comru.wikipedia.orgaxios.comupload.wikimedia.orgquorum.usarxiv.orgmattgaetz.comontheissues.orgfloridadaily.comcongress.govfloridapolitics.comdailysignal.comscnr.comwashingtonexaminer.comflvoicenews.comtheiowastandard.comfoxnews.comivoterguide.comcnbc.comclimateone.orgfoxbusiness.comforbes.combusinessinsider.comnewsweek.compolitico.comtheguardian.comfacebook.comrollcall.comstocktonia.orgcronkitenews.azpbs.orgmiamiherald.comreuters.comfloridaphoenix.compalmbeachpost.comabcnews.comwashingtonpost.commiamitimesonline.com2paragraphs.comcoloradopols.comfisherlibertygold.comdynamisllp.comx.cominstagram.comsubstack.govtrack.usde.wikipedia.orglegislation.ballotpedia.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgcommons.wikimedia.orgbioguide.congress.govvotesmart.org
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 updatedMar 14, 2026
Matt Gaetz is in the news in connection with the House passing the SAVE America Act, a bill that would tighten voter registration and ID requirements. The measure passed on party lines but faces hurdles in the Senate, with opponents warning it could make voting harder for people who have changed their names, including some women and LGBTQ+ individuals.
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Polls
Florida Republican Governor nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
Florida Republican Governor nominee?
Endorsers of Matt Gaetz for Florida Republican Governor nominee?
Colton Moore
Political organization
Colton Moore endorsed Matt Gaetz for his congressional campaign
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