McCarthy-aligned group hopes it hurt Gaetz's future gubernatorial chances despite his likely primary victory
Source: ABC News
A group with ties to former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, which has spent millions targeting Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz ahead of his congressional primary this week, concedes that the MAGA firebrand will likely win big on Tuesday -- but those close to the group say their efforts will extend beyond that race and claim they have put a dent in Gaetz's long-rumored plans to run for statewide office.
The effort marks the latest chapter in the ongoing feud between the Florida congressman and the former speaker, whose allies at the Freedom Patriots PAC have spent $3 million supporting Gaetz's Republican primary opponent, former Navy pilot Aaron Dimmock, by attacking Gaetz -- saturating his district with ads that revive past allegations, including accusations that Gaetz paid a minor for sex, and highlighting his past friendship with former Florida tax collector Joel Greenberg, who was sentenced to 11 years in prison for sex trafficking and other crimes.
Gaetz, who has denied all accusations, was informed by the Justice Department in 2023 that they would not bring charges against him following a yearslong investigation.
Tuesday's primary is also another test in McCarthy's so-called "revenge tour" against the group of eight far-right members of Congress, led by Gaetz, who played a key role in ousting McCarthy as House speaker in October -- a clash that plunged Capitol Hill into weeks of chaos as Republican members scrambled to elect a new leader.
Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/US/mccarthy-aligned-group-hopes-hurt-gaetzs-future-gubernatorial/story?id=112931395
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