Ron “Don’t Say Gay” DeSantis is one of the most odious governors in the country, but his replacement could be even worse.
Rep. Matt Gaetz, the gay-hating Republican congressman whose sole legislative goal at the moment seems to be harassing Speaker Kevin McCarthy, is widely expected to run for Florida governor in 2026, NBC News reports.
While the race to succeed DeSantis is still three years away, it’s worth being vigilant now.
Gaetz attended a reception Sunday night for the incoming speaker of the Florida House, and “strongly implied several times he would be running for governor,” according to four people at the event.
“He’s 100% in,” said one Republican operative.
While Gaetz is calling the report “overblown clickbait,” he’s also providing hints about his gubernatorial aspirations.
“Many did encourage me to consider running for governor one day,” he told reporters Monday, “but we have an outstanding governor who will be in that position through 2026.”
Gaetz added his only political focus right now is getting Donald Trump reelected in 2024 (along with trolling his way onto Fox News and Newsmax, of course).
Just when you think Florida couldn’t have a worse Governor…
— Marcel Loup (@marcelloup) September 18, 2023
And we all thought Florida couldn’t get worse.
— TheSheaKitten (@SheaKitten) September 18, 2023
Hailing from an overwhelmingly red district in the panhandle, Gaetz is one of the GOP’s most belligerent obstructionists, which is saying something! In recent days, he’s once again threatened to remove McCarthy as speaker, prompting the Republican leader to call him and other far-right lawmakers out.
“File the f*cking motion,” McCarthy dared his rambunctious colleagues at a luncheon, attendees say.
Gaetz’s latest issue with House leadership stems from his opposition to a stopgap spending measure championed by McCarthy.
Interestingly, conservative Florida Rep. Byron Donalds, who sponsored the continuing resolution, recently confirmed he’s interested in running for governor as well. Gaetz ripped Donald Monday on the House floor.
This cat fight already seems to be underway!
Ever the performance artist, Gaetz once mused about leaving Congress for a gig at Newsmax, the shameless GOP propaganda network. He’s one of the biggest election deniers in the House, mentioning the Capital Insurrection on social media more than any other Republican.
Gaetz is so tied into January 6, he asked for a presidential pardon in the riot’s aftermath.
On Tuesday, he issued a subpoena for Hunter Biden. You know, the people’s work…
Much like DeSantis, Gaetz is fervently anti-LGBTQ+, and his rhetoric might be even uglier. To commemorate Pride Month, he introduced a performative amendment that would’ve barred military funding from going towards drag shows.
In fact, he seems weirdly obsessed with drag queens performing at military bases. At a congressional hearing, he grilled Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin about the fictional practice, making a complete fool of himself.
But that’s expected of Gaetz, who was born with a political silver spoon in his mouth. His backstory is filled with embarrassing headlines and revelations.
Most infamously, the gay-hating congressman was the focus of a lengthy sex trafficking probe. Gaetz was accused of having sex with a 17-year-old and transporting her across state lines to engage in prostitution.
The people who demonize LGBTQ+ people always seem to be projecting, right Lauren Boebert?
With DeSantis now trailing Trump by 50 points, Florida’s current hateful governor seems destined to complete his term with his tail between his legs.
And it looks like Gaetz may be standing right behind him.
quantum
Don’t forget he grew up in the house from the Truman Show! Strangest detail about his backstory…
abfab
The Redneck Riviera. It’s gross.
Observant
He’s giving Arnold Ziffel with good hair.
Florida will undoubtedly vote for him.
bachy
My sister and her husband live in FL and listen exclusively to (shameless GOP propaganda network) Newsmax. They support Failure 45’s reelection but “don’t want to talk about it.” It’s disturbing how effective right wing control of the media is there.
Kangol2
If you think the English language media are bad, just listen to the Spanish-language media in Florida! There’s a reason Latinos in Florida have shifted heavily to the GOP more so than in other states, and that right-wing media plays a huge part!
bachy
Interesting! Where does the Spanish-language right wing-media in Florida originate? Is it coming from somewhere in Latin America? Or is it US based?
abfab
The Versailles on Calle Ocho.
dbmcvey
Obviously the only wrong with DeSantis is that he’s not a grooming sex trafficker.
RIGay
No word on his (ahem) “Adopted Son”, Nestor.
wikidBSTN
He is as physically ugly as he is personally vile.
mildredspierce
Wow – hatchetface now seeks to make humanity even more miserable. Another windbag in need of a broken jaw.
abfab
That mouth! How can one un-see that! He really is a vile creature from the lagoon.
Fahd
If people haven´t divested themselves of their Florida properties by now, it may be too late.
Fname Optional Lname
at least he gave a three year warning so people have enough time to make the necessary changes – ie… jump ship! As Governor he will make the legal drinking age for girls 14 and put video camera’s in all high school female locker rooms stating that it’s what the parents want to protect their kids.
Kangol2
Matt Gaetz is the apotheosis of the contemporary GOP: dumb, upper class, unethical, lazy, willing to lie at the drop of a hate, extreme, bursting with ambition, incapable of creating any policies to help regular Americans but always eager to enrich the already rich, tainted with scandal, and willing to do whatever it takes to gain power and increase it.
The clock is ticking, Florida voters, especially Democrats! Get it together now or you’ll be stuck with this insufferable creep for four years or more!