Matt Gaetz, the former Florida representative and President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general, announced Thursday that he is withdrawing as Trump’s pick for top prosecutor.

Who now qualifies for first place? Here are possible names being floated to serve as the next head of the Justice Department.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey was appointed by Missouri Governor Mike Parson as the state’s top prosecutor in 2022 after then-Attorney General Eric Schmitt was elected to the U.S. Senate.

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An Army veteran, Bailey received his bachelor’s and law degrees from the University of Missouri. He then went to work in the Attorney General’s Office and also served as an Assistant Attorney General and State’s Attorney before joining Governor Mike Parson’s office.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey is seen during a House Homeland Security Committee hearing in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, January 10, 2024. (Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

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Parson appointed Bailey as the state’s top prosecutor in 2022 after then-Attorney General Eric Schmitt was elected to the U.S. Senate.

Since becoming attorney general, Bailey has filed dozens of lawsuits against the Biden administration and has tried to defend the state on a number of conservative issues.

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah

Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah is also a name being floated for consideration. Lee is currently a high-ranking Republican in the House and would face a somewhat easy path to Senate confirmation, at least compared to some of the more controversial names that have previously surfaced.

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Lee had previously indicated he would not aim for the role, telling the Deseret News in an interview, “I have the job I want.”

Lee also told the outlet at the time that he was “looking forward to it.” work in the next Congress and with President Trump and his team to implement his agenda and the reform agenda that Republicans have offered and campaigned for, and it will be an exciting time. We have a lot of work to do.”

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah., speaks during a news conference at the Capitol on Tuesday, July 20, 2021. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

Gaetz announced his decision early Thursday afternoon on X. In his post, he described his appointment as “a distraction.” During his appointment, allegations emerged that he paid underage women for sex.

Trump took to social media shortly after news broke that Gaetz would be withdrawing his name from consideration, writing on Truth Social: “I greatly appreciate Matt Gaetz’s recent efforts in seeking approval to become Attorney General. He was doing very well, but: At the same time, I didn’t want to be a distraction for the government, for which he has a lot of respect. Matt has a bright future, and I look forward to seeing all the great things he will do!”

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Gaetz was subject to a months-long investigation by the House Ethics Committee until his resignation last Wednesday from the current session of Congress.

Fox News Digital contacted the The Trump transition team for comment.

Fox News Digital’s Breanne Deppisch contributed to this report.