Former CNN political analyst Chris Cillizza makes a surprising prediction about Florida's upcoming gubernatorial race.
According to The Daily Caller, Chris Cillizza has declared former Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz the frontrunner for Florida's 2026 gubernatorial race despite recent ethical controversies surrounding the congressman.
The declaration comes shortly after Gaetz expressed interest in running for Florida governor to the Tampa Bay Times on Tuesday.
This announcement follows weeks after the House Ethics Committee released a damaging report accusing him of paying multiple women for sexual favors and illicit drugs between 2017 and 2020, including allegations involving a minor.
Cillizza, speaking on his YouTube channel, emphasized Florida's increasingly Republican-leaning political environment as a key factor in his prediction. The former CNN analyst highlighted the state's significant shift toward Republican dominance in recent elections, suggesting this trend could benefit Gaetz despite his controversies.
The political commentator pointed to several potential Republican candidates who might challenge Gaetz, including Florida's first lady Casey DeSantis, Republican Rep. Byron Donalds, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, and Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody. However, he noted that the field might narrow as some candidates pursue other opportunities.
Current developments suggest Ashley Moody might be redirected to a different political path, as Governor Ron DeSantis is expected to appoint her as Marco Rubio's replacement in the Senate. Rubio is positioned to become President-elect Donald Trump's secretary of state, according to recent political developments.
Cillizza discussed Gaetz's calculated approach to announcing his potential candidacy. Here's what the former CNN analyst had to say:
I think Gaetz wanted to get out in front of all the chatter that will be set off about 2026 once DeSantis makes that pick.
The timing of Gaetz's announcement appears strategic, coming just as major political reshuffling is expected in Florida's leadership. Political observers note that this early declaration could be aimed at establishing dominance in what promises to be a competitive race.
When discussing Gaetz's prospects, Cillizza emphasized the congressman's strong position within the MAGA movement, both in Florida and nationwide.
He also addressed the significance of Gaetz's political influence despite his controversial background:
you should take Gaetz's potential candidacy — I think he's going to run — seriously because I do think, given how powerful he is within the MAGA movement both in Florida and nationally, he's probably the favorite. Even with everything under — all the water under the bridge — he's probably still the favorite to be the Republican nominee for governor and the next governor of Florida.
The evolving situation in Florida presents a complex political landscape for the 2026 gubernatorial race. Matt Gaetz, a former Republican congressman with significant ethical controversies, has positioned himself as a potential frontrunner in Florida's next gubernatorial election.
According to Chris Cillizza's analysis, Florida's increasingly Republican-leaning political environment, combined with Gaetz's strong MAGA movement connections, could overshadow his past controversies and potentially lead him to victory in 2026.
