Trump allies are reportedly encouraging GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz to run for Senate in Alabama
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), a close ally of President Trump, is reportedly weighing a Senate run.
The Florida Republican has told his colleagues he is considering moving to Alabama to run for Senate in 2020, The Hill reports. Gaetz would be seeking to challenge Sen. Doug Jones (D-Ala.), the Democrat who in 2017 defeated Roy Moore in a close special election.
According to this report, "people in Trump's orbit" have been encouraging Gaetz to run in the election, noting that in Alabama, you only have to be a resident of the state for a single day before running for Senate.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Gaetz has become a controversial figure for numerous reasons, including his tweet in February seeming to threaten former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen before his congressional testimony. Gaetz wrote to Cohen, "Do your wife & father-in-law know about your girlfriends? Maybe tonight would be a good time for that chat. I wonder if she'll remain faithful when you’re in prison. She's about to learn a lot..." Gaetz later apologized for the tweet and said he didn't mean it to be threatening. The New York Times recently described Gaetz "a congressman liberals love to loathe."
Gaetz confirmed to The Hill on Thursday that "a few people" have mentioned to him that Alabama has short residency laws, but he said this is "not something I've looked at myself," saying his "most likely" path is re-election in the House.
Rep. Bradley Byrne (R-Ala.) is already running for Jones' seat, and Moore, who during the 2017 Senate race was accused of sexually assaulting or pursuing underage girls, has expressed interest in challenging Jones again, saying last month that he is "seriously considering" it.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
'Make legal immigration a more plausible option'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
LA-to-Las Vegas high-speed rail line breaks ground
Speed Read The railway will be ready as soon as 2028
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel's military intelligence chief resigns
Speed Read Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva is the first leader to quit for failing to prevent the Hamas attack in October
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Ukraine cheers House approval of military aid
Speed Read Following a lengthy struggle, the House has approved $95 billion in aid for Ukraine and Israel
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Poland, Germany nab alleged anti-Ukraine spies
Speed Read A man was arrested over a supposed Russian plot to kill Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel hits Iran with retaliatory airstrike
Speed Read The attack comes after Iran's drone and missile barrage last weekend
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Peter Murrell: Sturgeon's husband charged over SNP 'embezzlement' claims
Speed Read SNP expresses 'shock' as former chief executive rearrested in long-running investigation into claims of mishandled campaign funds
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Mark Menzies: Tories investigate MP after 'bad people' cash claims
Speed Read Fylde MP will sit as an independent while party looks into allegations he misused campaign funds on medical expenses and blackmail pay-out
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Why Johnson won't just pass Ukraine aid
Speed Read The House Speaker could have sent $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine — but it would have split his caucus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picks
Speed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published