Familiarity breeds contempt. A Florida Atlantic University poll asked Floridians if they approved of Matt Gaetz. They do not. Gaetz was viewed favorably by a mere 21% of the respondents. No matter what credibility you give to polls, those are crap numbers. Especially for a politician whose logical next step — although he denies he is considering it — is an in-state run to replace the term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2026.
Predictably, Democrats are not fans of the Redneck Riviera’s native son and current Representative — 1% give him a thumbs-up. The bad news for Gaetz is that just 37% of Republicans approve of him, while 36% disapprove. Those numbers predict Matt will even find winning the GOP primary a steep climb. And numbers like those will encourage many candidates to vie for the prize.
Yet, should Gaetz decide to stay in Congress, there is little reason to think he could not remain there like a tick gorging itself on the body politic. He routinely wins 65%+ of the vote in his district. And those folks do not seem to be tiring of his look-at-me vacuity. Matt’s base is happy to vote for notoriety over policy.
Gaetz’s father thinks his son will remain in DC. In October, Don Gaetz said, "Matt's not pursuing any run for governor. He's pushing forward tackling budget and spending problems in Washington and fighting for term limits."
It is good to have a father willing to offer absurdities to support you. The reality is that Gaetz has so fouled his own pitch it is impossible to see him as capable of driving policy — should he even have the ability. Politics is a team sport, and Matt’s philosophy is, “If I don’t get my way, I’m going to put a hole in the ball.”
As for term limits, that is nowt but happy talk. In the 1995 U.S. Term Limits, Inc. v. Thornton decision, SCOTUS ruled that states cannot impose stricter standards for federal office than the Constitution outlines. So Gaetz would have to organize an amendment drive, with all its difficulties (see the ERA), to introduce term limits for Congress.
I mention this for the reader’s information, not because that dilettante intends to do any work. Besides, what possible interest would Gaetz have in term-limiting himself? If the Fox job falls through, what else would he do? His brand is too toxic for a sinecure at a conservative think tank. And no significant company will give him a seat on their board.
And with his disapproval among Republicans in his home state, he must have also limited his domestic options.
Gaetz’s best non-congressional bet is to hope Trump wins the presidency and gives him a cabinet post. He may well have his eye on Attorney General. There is no fear that Gaetz would observe custom, due process, or the need for evidence. The only thing that would stand in his way would be the Supreme Court. And if the nation’s liberty depends on them, we are in trouble.