Gaetz resigned from Congress in November, soon after President-elect Donald Trump nominated him to be attorney general. He opted not to return to Congress after removing himself from the nomination, citing media fervor around allegations of sexual misconduct that he believed served as an unnecessary distraction. Gaetz has since served as a prime-time anchor on the One America News Network but told the Tampa Bay Times that he’s eyeing a return to politics.

He said he’s “starting to think about running for governor” in 2026 when Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) will be term-limited from returning.

Gaetz articulated some of his policy approaches, arguing for a populist stance on insurance.

“I have a compelling vision for the state,” he said. “I understand how to fix the insurance problem, and it’s not to hand the keys to the state over to the insurance industry. If I run, I would be the most pro-consumer candidate on the Republican side.”

The Florida Republican appeared undeterred by the allegations against him detailed in a House Ethics Committee report released last month, which found evidence that he paid women for drugs or sex on at least 20 occasions while a member of Congress, including one woman who was 17 years old. Gaetz has vehemently denied the charges.

“Those lies have been told about me for years,” he said when asked if he thought the allegations would affect his election chances. “They’ve never affected my ability to win elections.”

Gaetz has long been rumored to be eyeing the governor’s seat in 2026. Others rumored to be gunning for the position are Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, and Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, according to the outlet.

The former congressman said he hasn’t decided and will take more time to pray and discuss the matter with his wife.

The move to release the House Ethics Committee report on Gaetz’s alleged sexual misconduct was highly unusual, as the committee rarely releases reports on private citizens. Gaetz sued the committee to prevent the release but was unsuccessful.

He went through the evidence presented in the report afterward, disputing the allegations.

Gaetz has said previously that he sent funds to some women he dated or was interested in but never had sexual contact with anyone under the age of 18.

“Any claim that I have would be destroyed in court — which is why no such claim was ever made in court,” he said. “My 30s were an era of working very hard — and playing hard too. It’s embarrassing, though not criminal, that I probably partied, womanized, drank, and smoked more than I should have earlier in life. I live a different life now.”