Now That Matt Gaetz Has Resigned After Being Picked For Trump’s AG, Who Will Seek His Seat?

November 14, 2024

Who will fill the Congressional seat that was held by Rep. Matt Gaetz?

Wednesday, President-elect Donald Trump named Gaetz at his choice to be the next U.S. attorney general.

Shortly after the announcement, Gaetz resigned from Congress, House Speaker Mike Johnson said that will give Gov. Ron DeSantis “about an eight-week period” to fill the vacancy, or early as January 3. DeSantis will set for the dates for a special election to choose a replacement.

RELATED: Northwest Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz Resigns From Congress After AG Nomination

By Wednesday night, names of potential Congressional replacements began to circulate.

One, Florida House Rep. Michele Salzman, is making it clear that she’s interested.

“I must admit my phone has really been blowing up with texts and calls from many I respect since Congressman Gaetz was announced as President Trump’s pick for Attorney General,” she wrote on social media. “I am going to weigh my options and seriously consider it. I love representing Northwest Florida and getting things done.”

“It is an honor serve as a State Representative, so I am already doing what I love to do,” Salzman continued.

Another potential replacement for Gaetz is another Gaetz. Matt Gaetz’s father, Former Florida Senate President Don Gaetz, recently won election to the Florida Senate District 1 seat that was held by Doug Broxson.

Other names being mentioned in statewide and local political circles Wednesday night included former Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward, current Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves, and Frank White.

White is former state representative, serving a single term from 2016-2018. He ran for Senate District 1 this year before bowing out to endorse Don Gaetz.

Destin Mayor Bobby Wagner has expressed interest in running for the Congressional seat.

A Democratic contender will likely also emerge for the special election, Gay Valimont who ran against Gaetz this year, is expected to run. Gaetz garnered about 66% of the vote to 34% to Valimont in the strongly Republican district.

Comments

34 Responses to “Now That Matt Gaetz Has Resigned After Being Picked For Trump’s AG, Who Will Seek His Seat?”

  1. dubz on November 16th, 2024 1:14 pm

    Reading these anti Gaetz post from conservatives is gonna take some getting used to.

  2. Steve on November 15th, 2024 9:26 pm

    We don’t need Howdy Doody butting heads with someone who wouldn’t admit Trump had been shot such as corrupt FBI director christopher wray ; no respect due the man ; crooked since Hoover ran the place . Need the FBI building bulldozed and a fountain put here . Tear it down Mr Gaetz !

  3. Mike J. on November 15th, 2024 11:49 am

    Bring back former US Rep. Jeff Miller to reclaim the integrity of the office that he left to Matt Gaetz. Let’s recruit him and even sign a petition asking him to return to the House of Representatives. Maybe he would. We won’t know until somebody asks him. That somebody has to be Governor DeSantis.

  4. Jim on November 15th, 2024 11:41 am

    Many higher ranking house members both republican and democrat are just saying not a good thing for him to be in this position. Its all about loyalty to Trump and not about our country. Another fox watching the hen house and just another bad choice just to protect himself and those with the same ideology.

  5. Not You on November 15th, 2024 10:03 am

    Note to whomever gets his seat: Clorox disinfectant wipes before you sit.

  6. jobr on November 15th, 2024 9:22 am

    another evil republican traitor

  7. Steve on November 15th, 2024 7:24 am

    Any republican senator that confirmed Mayorkas should be fired and charged with treason . We need republicans with a spine and not get in line as usual . That person is Matt Gaetz .

  8. James on November 14th, 2024 9:37 pm

    Ashton Howard sided with liberals as mayor of P’cola on key conservative points, including memorials and historical statues. I’ll cross party lines to vote against Howard!

  9. Steve on November 14th, 2024 9:36 pm

    Maybe Matt can get the FBI to find out who left their cocaine in the situation room ?

  10. Amanda Choate on November 14th, 2024 8:20 pm

    Gaetz, does not want the truth to come out in his House Ethics Committee investigation. But being a credibly accused child trafficker didn’t cost him any votes in this district. His father is now the state senator representing Escambia County, though he lives 3 counties away. Let’s see if Republicans are willing to hold him to account. Y’all kill me. All this horse poo about people being held to account and y’all just look right past the fact that these guys can count on your vote and do nothing except show up on Newsmaxx and Fox.

  11. Steve on November 14th, 2024 8:13 pm

    After crooked lying slime AG Merrick Garland let’s give good ole Matt a shot .

  12. WillingServant on November 14th, 2024 7:58 pm

    I would very much like to be considered for this opportunity. I am willing to walk away from my federal government career and risk my pension to serve our district. I am an expert in U.S. Criminal Code and U.S. Sentencing Commission Federal Guidelines. If only someone with authority came across this post and reached out. One can dream…

  13. Lou on November 14th, 2024 5:55 pm

    We the people have spoken . The future tough still , finally has an opportunity to provide we the regular people with limited value with hope . So support their decisions while they have todo the Potomac two step dance . Hopefully while the eat the caviar , filet mignon ,. We can afford eggs and chicken again. May the Gods bless our nation and it’s citizens.

  14. Lisa Newell on November 14th, 2024 5:35 pm

    When will NW Florida get enough of the do-nothing politicians? For over 25 years, we’ve had little to no representative government and let our insurance rates skyrocket just so these jerks can get on TV and pretend to be outraged by every little thing.
    Matt Gaetz is a national embarrassment whose only efforts were made to save Britney Spears from her conservatorship.
    Elect someone new who has a plan to improve the economic future of BW Florida. Elect Gay Valimont. She wants to get health care for our area while Trump wants to take it away.
    She wants to protect social security while Rick Scott wants to take it away.
    Do your research!

  15. ??? on November 14th, 2024 5:23 pm

    What’s beauty got to do with anything? Stop being a simp, old man. She’s not going to date you.

  16. Jimbo on November 14th, 2024 4:23 pm

    Well said, John D King. Gaetz has been totally useless as a voice for this area of Florida. He got the seat only on his father’s recognizable name and work and has been nothing but an embarrassment since being elected. Most of the people here dont care as long as he is deeply conservative. Hell, a raccoon come be elected here as long as it shows conservative values, and would probably be much more effective than Gaetz has been for us.

  17. Gerald on November 14th, 2024 3:31 pm

    On top of that Ashton Hayward??? Not a chance. We’re supposed to be draining the swamp and there are few reptiles more swampy than he is. The city was plagued with corruption under him.

  18. Gerald Boudreaux on November 14th, 2024 3:27 pm

    I am 1000% in support of Salzman taking that seat. It’s rare that a politician is an actual public servant.
    Frank White is just a rich kid who wants to make it easier for used car dealers.

  19. bob on November 14th, 2024 10:11 am

    Skip Florida House Rep. Michele Salzman.

  20. Salzman!!! on November 14th, 2024 10:02 am

    Salzman….. hands down. Brains, loyalty and beauty

  21. Liam Ream on November 14th, 2024 9:59 am

    Hmm, interesting. Any number of agendas could be in play here, especially if it is expected for him not to pass Senate muster. Regardless, a fresh GOP face in his seat is not a bad thing!

  22. Not You on November 14th, 2024 9:54 am

    Good nomination. The only member of the House of Representatives to vote against a human trafficking bill.

  23. John D. King on November 14th, 2024 9:52 am

    So, how long does it take Republicans to wake up and smell the coffee? Gaetz has used his office to PURELY and EXCLUSIVELY promote himself. He has YET to author ONE bill (not co-authored, they all do that) that was actually passed that helps NW Florida. Mugging for a camera and spouting off his mouth was ALL he was willing to do with his time. WE, the people of NW Florida, have been without representation in Congress for as long as this do nothing has been in office. So, good riddance! But to be the new AG? Give me a break. Even Republicans in Congress can not stand the guy and he would be an embarrassment there, too. This was all contrived to save his sorry behind from a Congressional report that would nail him, and rightly so, for good. To be clear – the Senate should NOT go into recess and allow Mar a Lago boy the chance to put in his appointments but they should deny Gaetz his day in the sun. Let’s turn the lights on on little Matt.

  24. do the right thing on November 14th, 2024 9:36 am

    release the report, this was a republican’s lead investigation. he didn’t have to resign to wait on the ag job!

  25. El Duque on November 14th, 2024 9:32 am

    Great pick. Before you give him a thumbs down, please consider some the appointees that we currently have in D.C.

    Rachel Levine…Pete Buttigieg….Merrick Garland….Christopher Wray….. Geeeesh.

    Matt Gaetz is head shoulders above these people. ……… Go Michelle Salzman.

  26. Steve on November 14th, 2024 9:22 am

    Some Biden administration crooks should be nervous ! Especially Joe !

  27. Willis on November 14th, 2024 9:16 am

    Ms. Salzman before the others, then Mr. Gaetz.
    Valmont before any of the Mayor’s.Current or former.

  28. Teve on November 14th, 2024 8:57 am

    Hunter Biden evading taxes and lobbying illegally as an agent of the United States . Joe Biden selling out his position to the Chinese ; bribery . These are two criminals Mr Gaetz can start with . Hunter evades 5 million in federal taxes . The U S Attorney who let the statute of limitations expire on Hunters crimes should be on Mr Gaetz list also , of at large.criminals . If the average citizen committed the crimes Hunter has committed they would be in jail for decades . If Mr Gaetz incarcerates some ot these criminals good for him .

  29. Elijah Bell on November 14th, 2024 8:49 am

    Concerning Matt Gaetz: The people of the USA voted for Trump to be the president and that gives him the right to pick folks to help him run the government. You might not agree with his choices or you might agree one hundred per cent. I believe Trump deserves his choices and if he needs to make changes because they don’t work out he will do so swiftly.

  30. SW on November 14th, 2024 8:39 am

    @Henry Coe

    Really?!
    You’re going to go there? The Gaetz opposition has been trying to get something on him for a very long time. So far, they have failed.

    Will Senators confirm him? Who knows? It’ll give the new leader a good test.

    However, should he not be confirmed and should Rubio be confirmed as Secretary of State, the Governor could appoint him to fill the rest of Rubio’s Senate term (that ends in 2028, by the way). I bet that would burn liberals like you to the core.

    Remember, elections DO have consequences.

  31. Mike on November 14th, 2024 8:33 am

    Coincidence? Yes. He was asked to resign to start the clock immediately for a special reelection so that it can be concluded prior to the next session in January. They also asked all other house members who were named to also resign. Since the senators will be appointed by their governor, there is no reason to resign quickly.

  32. CW on November 14th, 2024 8:08 am

    Hopefully he won’t be confirmed by the Senate and he’ll finally just go away. The guy is an embarrassment.

  33. Henry Coe on November 14th, 2024 7:51 am

    It should be noted that a report on Gaetz from the House Ethics Committee, run by Republicans, was two days from being released and with Gaetz having resigned they can no longer release it. Coincidence? I think not.
    I find it hard to accept that Senate Republicans would approve Gaetz to be AG.

  34. Michael Porretta on November 14th, 2024 4:47 am

    Go GOP win win win





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