Former CNN political analyst Chris Cillizza suggested that Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida is likely to become the state’s governor, despite facing significant controversies.
Gaetz recently told the Tampa Bay Times that he is considering a gubernatorial run in 2026. This announcement comes just weeks after the House Ethics Committee released a report accusing him of paying over ten women for sexual favors or illicit drugs, including a 17-year-old girl, between 2017 and 2020.
On his YouTube channel, Cillizza argued that Gaetz is well-positioned to secure the Republican nomination and, subsequently, the governorship, given Florida’s recent political shift toward the Republican Party.
“I know people roll their eyes at this, but I honestly think he’s the frontrunner to be the Republican nominee for governor in 2026, and if he is the Republican nominee, then he’s the favorite to win because Florida has moved in the direction of Republicans in a pretty significant way in the last couple elections,” Cillizza said. “So yes, you could absolutely see a Governor Matt Gaetz at this time in 2027. I don’t think there’s any question.”
Cillizza also discussed potential rivals for the GOP nomination, including Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis, Republican Rep. Byron Donalds, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, and Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody.
He further noted that Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, whose term ends in 2026, is expected to appoint Moody as a replacement for outgoing Republican Senator Marco Rubio. Rubio is reportedly President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for secretary of state, according to Politico.
“Ron DeSantis … said that he would make a decision on filling the likely vacancy created by Marco Rubio being confirmed as secretary of state, which hasn’t happened yet but we expect will, that DeSantis said he would fill that vacancy or announce his choice to fill that vacancy in early January,” Cillizza explained. “Well, look at the calendar — we’re in early January, people. I think Gaetz wanted to get out in front of all the chatter that will be set off about 2026 once DeSantis makes that pick.”
“I think Gaetz wanted to make clear to everyone whose name I just mentioned — Byron Donalds and Wilton Simpson and Casey DeSantis and Ashley Moody — that yes, he is probably running for governor,” Cillizza added. “And, you know, he’s going to be a pretty formidable candidate even with all the baggage he brings to the race … you should take Gaetz’s potential candidacy — I think he’s going to run — seriously because I do think, given how powerful he is within the MAGA movement both in Florida and nationally, he’s probably the favorite. Even with everything under — all the water under the bridge — he’s probably still the favorite to be the Republican nominee for governor and the next governor of Florida.”
