Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz revealed he has a 19-year-old son.
“This is my son Nestor [Galban],” the Florida lawmaker, 38, tweeted Thursday. “We share no blood but he is my life. He came from Cuba (legally, of course) six years ago and lives with me in Florida.”
Nestor turned 19 a few days ago & will be off to University. He arrived here at 12.
As you can imagine, I was triggered when (to make an absurd debate point) a fellow congressman diminished the contributions of Republicans because we don’t raise non-white kids.
Well, I have.
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) June 18, 2020
Gaetz, who is not married, said raising Galban has been the “most rewarding” experience of his life.
Gaetz’s sister, Erin, said Galban joined their family after his mother died.
“Nestor came into our lives when he was 12 and had just lost his mother. He didn’t speak English, but luckily, Matt speaks Spanish,” she tweeted, sharing several photos of Galban over the years.
Nestor came into our lives when he was 12 and had just lost his mother. He didn’t speak English, but luckily, Matt speaks Spanish.
Matt has been an incredible father to Nestor, who just graduated from high school and will be attending college in the fall. So proud of them both. https://t.co/n71SvN0Ep0
— Erin Gaetz (@ErinGaetz) June 18, 2020
Christmas Eve 2013. Nestor and Rep. Santa Claus (R-North Pole). pic.twitter.com/zgM2JZjw1f
— Erin Gaetz (@ErinGaetz) June 18, 2020
Here’s one of my favorite family photos from a few Easters ago. My dad, Matt and Nestor planting a smooch on my mama! pic.twitter.com/6iE2J0jwSE
— Erin Gaetz (@ErinGaetz) June 18, 2020
It’s unclear if Gaetz legally adopted Galban. His office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Washington Examiner.
Gaetz said he decided to make the revelation after being “triggered” by a Democratic colleague, Rep. Cedric Richmond, who claimed Republican lawmakers do not understand what it’s like to worry about nonwhite children.
Katie Hill, a former House Democratic who resigned amid allegations that she had an inappropriate relationship with a staff member, said Gaetz talks about his son “more than anything, has done so much for his son.”
“This #freenestor thing is bullshit. Stop,” she tweeted.
“Also he was never ‘hiding’ his son. He was trying to protect him from the crap that comes from being a politician’s kid, esp after what Nestor had been through, esp in this political climate. Now that Nestor is grown he’s made his own choice to enter the spotlight. Good for them,” she added in a second tweet.
Also he was never “hiding” his son. He was trying to protect him from the crap that comes from being a politician’s kid, esp after what Nestor had been through, esp in this political climate. Now that Nestor is grown he’s made his own choice to enter the spotlight. Good for them.
— Katie Hill (@KatieHill4CA) June 18, 2020
