Matt Gaetz | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Official portrait, 2020 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida's 1st district | |
| In office January 3, 2017 – November 13, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Jeff Miller |
| Succeeded by | TBD |
| Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 4th district | |
| In office April 13, 2010 – November 8, 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Ray Sansom |
| Succeeded by | Mel Ponder |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 7, 1982 Hollywood, Florida, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Ginger Luckey (m. 2021) |
| Parent | Don Gaetz (father) |
| Relatives | Palmer Luckey (brother-in-law) |
| Education | |
| Signature |  |
| Website | gaetz |
Matthew Louis Gaetz II (/ɡeɪts/ GAYTS; born May 7, 1982) is an American politician and lawyer who served as the U.S. representative for Florida's 1st congressional district from 2017 until his resignation in 2024. His district included all of Escambia, Okaloosa, and Santa Rosa counties, and portions of Walton County. Gaetz is a member of the Republican Party and a self-described libertarian populist[1] and is widely regarded as a proponent of far-right politics as well as an ally of Donald Trump.[2]
The son of prominent Florida politician Don Gaetz and grandson of North Dakota politician Jerry Gaetz, Gaetz was raised in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. After graduating from William & Mary Law School, he briefly worked in private practice before running for state representative. He served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2010 until 2016, and received national attention for defending Florida's "stand-your-ground law".[3] In 2016, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, and was re-elected in 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024. Gaetz was accused of misconduct violations during his tenure, but charges were never brought.
President-elect Donald Trump announced he would nominate Gaetz to serve as United States attorney general on November 13, 2024, which led to surprise, alarm, and negative reception from some Senate Republicans.[4] Gaetz resigned from the House of Representatives shortly after the announcement. A week later, Gaetz withdrew himself from consideration.[5] Though he had already won reelection to the 119th United States Congress, he has said he does not intend to rejoin Congress.[6]
- ^ Tracy, Abigail (March 3, 2020). "'The President's Big Into Buddy Checks': In the MAGA Circus with Matt Gaetz, Trump's Ultimate Protégé". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on January 19, 2021. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
- ^ Zurcher, Anthony (April 5, 2021). "Matt Gaetz: Why this Trump ally is fighting for his political life". BBC News. Archived from the original on May 6, 2021. Retrieved July 31, 2022.
- ^ Peters, Justin (November 7, 2013). "Meet the Uncompromising Ideologue Chairing Florida's "Stand Your Ground" Hearings". Slate. Archived from the original on March 31, 2021. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
- ^ Demirjian, Karoun (November 13, 2024). "Senate Republicans Alarmed by Gaetz Pick as Attorney General Nominee". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 13, 2024. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
- ^ Coen, Susie (November 21, 2024). "Matt Gaetz withdraws nomination as Trump's attorney general". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on November 21, 2024. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
- ^ Shabad, Rebecca (November 22, 2024). "Matt Gaetz says he doesn't plan to rejoin Congress after withdrawing as Trump's pick for attorney general". NBC News. Archived from the original on November 12, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2024.