By The Washington Times (Politics) | Created at 2026-08-15 16:20:45 | Updated at 2026-08-15 17:12:14
2 hours ago
The race to replace Rep. Byron Donalds in Florida’s 19th Congressional District is getting wild, with 10 Republicans vying for the GOP nomination.
They include felons and a fashion model. Well, actually, one of the felons is also a former underwear model.
John Strand was convicted of participating in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol and went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court to have his conviction overturned.
“I will never stand down and never sell out in the fight to defend the American citizen — to defend their faith, their family, our freedoms and our Judeo-Christian culture,” Mr. Strand told “Seen, Heard & Whispered.”
Five of the 10 Republican candidates have previously run for Congress somewhere else. Only one, Jim Schwartzel, is actually from Southwest Florida. He’s been endorsed by Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio and Steve Scalise of Louisiana.
SEE ALSO: ‘Failed career candidates’ flock to Florida’s open, safe red seat
Among the others:
• Chris Collins, who served in Congress from New York and pleaded guilty to insider trading for leaking information gleaned from his service on Capitol Hill. He was pardoned by President Trump.
• Madison Cawthorn, another former member of Congress who was booted from his North Carolina seat in a 2022 primary after a single tumultuous term.
• Catalina Lauf, who twice ran for Congress in two different Illinois districts and lost.
• Jim Oberweis, another former Illinois resident who served in that state’s Senate from 2013 to 2021.
• Ola Hawatmeh, a former congressional staffer who ran for a congressional seat in New York in 2020 but lost in the GOP primary.
The GOP candidates include Greg Bukowski, Mike Pedersen and Linda Sawyer.
A Victory Insights poll taken Aug. 4-6 shows Ms. Lauf and Mr. Schwartzel tied for the lead at 19%. And Ms. Lauf recently picked up endorsements from fellow Florida Reps. Anna Paulina Luna, Greg Steube and Kat Cammack.
Ms. Lauf says she is proud of the support her campaign has been receiving.
“The voters of SWFL are ready for the next generation of America First leadership. Our team has been on the ground listening to voters and hearing what matters to them. As our opponents lie, attack and defame, we’re going to where it matters — THE PEOPLE,” she told “Seen, Heard & Whispered.”
Terry Miller, campaign manager for Mr. Schwartzel, said the race has attracted all sorts of previously failed GOP candidates.
“They’re chasing a safe seat so they can build a political career,” Mr. Miller told “Seen, Heard & Whispered.” “It’s unique. I don’t think anyone has ever seen anything like this before, but they see this as a very safe Republican seat and it is one of the seats that helps influence other races around the country.”
The primary is Tuesday.
“Our closing message is that Southwest Florida deserves better than failed career candidates who moved here just to run for Congress,” Mr. Miller said.
Mr. Donalds, a GOP rising star, is not seeking reelection in order to run for governor.
