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Madison Cawthorn Launches Bid for Florida’s 19th District, Filing to Succeed Byron Donalds

He frames the bid as a MAGA comeback motivated by Charlie Kirk’s assassination.

Overview

  • Cawthorn filed FEC paperwork Wednesday and told Fox News he decided to run after Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
  • The open, safely Republican seat spans Naples, Cape Coral and Fort Myers as Rep. Byron Donalds runs for governor in 2026.
  • He faces a crowded GOP primary that includes Jim Oberweis, Mike Pedersen and Jim Schwartzel, with former Rep. Chris Collins reportedly preparing a bid.
  • After losing his 2022 North Carolina primary, he moved to Cape Coral and brings significant baggage, including a misdemeanor gun case, House ethics findings and a recent arrest over a missed court date on a license citation.
  • Despite showcasing ties to Trump and America First themes, reporting indicates little interest from Trump’s orbit or House GOP leadership in backing his campaign.