The former congressman, who was the subject of a federal investigation and a congressional ethics probe, said he has "a compelling vision for the state."

Gaetz announced he was resigning his seat in November after President-elect Donald Trump picked him to be his attorney general. However, allegations of sexual misconduct dogged Gaetz’s nomination, and he ultimately withdrew his name from consideration.

The former congressman's comments come weeks after the House Ethics Committee released a bombshell report claiming he paid for sex with a 17-year-old