Matthew L. Gaetz

Republican Representative of Florida's 1st district

Representative
Florida, district 1
January 3, 2017 - January 3, 2019
Representative
Florida, district 1
January 3, 2019 - January 3, 2021
Representative
Florida, district 1
January 3, 2021 - January 3, 2023
Representative
Florida, district 1
January 3, 2023 - November 13, 2024

202-225-4136

gaetz.house.gov

Congresses Served

House Terms

May 7, 1982 (42 years old)

Birthday

Served as U.S. representative for Florida’s 1st congressional district since 2017
Known for far-right political views and as an ally of former president Donald Trump
Background in law, graduating from William & Mary Law School
Worked in private practice before entering politics
Served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2010 to 2016
Defended Florida’s “stand-your-ground” law
Accused of sex trafficking and having sexual relationships with minors in 2020, but not charged by the DOJ; remains under investigation by the House Ethics Committee
Played a role in the removal of Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives in 2023
Raised in a political family; son of Florida politician Don Gaetz
Briefly suspended from practicing law in Florida due to unpaid fees, later reinstated
Involved in various controversies and investigations, including ethics concerns and allegations related to sex trafficking
Described as a “libertarian populist” and has been an early supporter of Donald Trump
Advocated for cannabis legislation reform and introduced bills to reclassify cannabis and loosen federal restrictions for research
Criticized for inviting controversial figures and making statements that have been seen as incendiary or divisive
Engaged in efforts to impeach President Joe Biden and Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas
Opposes abortion and has made controversial remarks about women’s appearances in relation to abortion rights
Voted against awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to police officers who defended the U.S. Capitol on January 6
Involved in efforts to challenge the results of the 2020 presidential election and supported claims of election fraud
Has faced legal and ethical scrutiny, including a DOJ investigation into allegations of sex trafficking, which concluded without charges against him