Matt Gaetz deposed Kevin McCarthy and the donations came pouring in

The plot to oust Kevin McCarthy from the House speakership wasn’t just successful — it paid off.

Especially for Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), who led the charge.

Six of the eight Republicans who voted to oust McCarthy saw an increase in small-dollar donations from the third to the fourth quarter of 2023, according to a POLITICO analysis of new campaign finance disclosures.

And Gaetz easily had the biggest jump in pure dollars — raking in an additional $725,000 from donors who gave less than $200, quarter-over-quarter — and saw the second-highest growth as a percentage. In that measure, he trailed only Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.), a likely Senate candidate who effectively had no small-dollar operation in the third quarter.

“As the only Republican in Congress who refuses all lobbyist and PAC donations, we are humbled and honored by the support we have received from across the country,” Gaetz said in a statement. “And we hope folks keep giving!"

Gaetz was a thorn in McCarthy’s side for the entirety of his brief speakership. He was part of the group of Republicans who repeatedly opposed McCarthy in January 2023, leading to 15 rounds of voting that ultimately ended only when Gaetz and some of his allies voted present — and after significant concessions from McCarthy, including making it easier for disgruntled members to remove the speaker.

The Floridian fundraised in January over his opposition to McCarthy — and then again in October, when he filed the motion to vacate that ultimately led to him and seven other Republicans ousting their party leader.

Gaetz became the face of the movement against McCarthy — and his fundraising saw the most significant growth, not just among small-dollar donors. His campaign raised nearly $770,000