GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida has repeatedly said he’s not running to replace Gov. Ron DeSantis in Florida.
Still, many Florida Republicans are interested in giving the Fort Walton Beach congressman the job when DeSantis is term-limited out in January 2027.
Kaplan Strategies, a political consulting firm, released on Friday the results of its poll about possible GOP gubernatorial nominees for 2026.
Gaetz claimed 16% support in the poll. GOP Rep. Byron Donalds of Naples followed him with 13% and state Attorney General Ashley Moody, also a Republican, at 10%.
On the other hand, the pollster noted that “there is plenty of room for the race to develop” since 51% of respondents said they were undecided at this early stage.
Among those three, Gaetz enjoyed the broadest name recognition, the poll showed.
But Gaetz trailed the others in favorability.
While he was a very strong plus-20 with a favorable rating, Donalds was plus-30, and Moody was plus-31.
Gaetz’s hand is strengthened by the fact that he is a major player among followers of former President Donald Trump and the MAGA movement.
The survey found that GOP voters in Florida identify as “MAGA Republicans” by a 63-37 margin.
They also said Trump’s endorsement would carry more influence with them (47%) than one by DeSantis (37%).
Others mentioned as in the poll included Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez, state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, and Republican Rep. Michael Waltz of St. Augustine.
“Someone like Patronis, a CEO, who sat out the Presidential primary and not endorsing either President Trump or DeSantis has room to grow if he can grow his name recognition,” Kaplan added.
Read: Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz Slams “Sellout” House Republicans Over Temporary Spending Bill
Patronis is polling at 2% support, the survey revealed. That tied him with Waltz and put him one point behind Nunez.
Trump, however, could be a pivotal figure — as Trump himself has routinely boasted about over the last two election cycles.
In a statement, the firm’s Doug Kaplan said, “Florida is definitely MAGA country. We are seeing voters identifying as ‘MAGA Republicans’ to be 15-20 points higher than in other polls we have conducted. If President Trump makes an endorsement, his support will carry a lot of weight.”
Help support the Tampa Free Press by making any small donation by clicking here.
Android Users, Click To Download The Tampa Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter. Sign up for our free newsletter.