Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) on Friday revealed he will not be rejoining Congress next year after withdrawing as President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general on Thursday, CNN reports.
“I’m still going to be in the fight, but it’s going to be from a new perch.” Gaetz told Charlie Kirk on his radio show Friday. “I do not intend to join the 119th Congress.”
As Politico reports, “Florida will have to schedule a special election” to replace Gaetz, who won his bid for reelection in November and immediately resigned his post after being chosen as Trump’s attorney general pick.
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The Hill on Friday reported it was “unclear” whether Gaetz could return to the House if he wanted to.
“House rules and precedents and the manner in which Gaetz resigned mean he will not be coming back before the end of the year,” the Hill’s Emily Brooks wrote. “But whether he can return next year — if he wants to — is unclear.”
As CNN reports, Gaetz on Friday insisted his days in the House are over.
“There are a number of fantastic Floridians who’ve stepped up to run for my seat, people who have inspired with their heroism, with their public service. And I’m actually excited to see Northwest Florida go to new heights and have great representation,” Gaetz said.
“I’m going to be fighting for President Trump,” he added. “I’m going to be doing whatever he asks of me, as I always have. But I think that eight years is probably enough time in the United States Congress.”
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