Jim Schwartzel Wins GOP Nomination in Florida's 19th Congressional District

Jim Schwartzel, a media executive, has secured the GOP nomination to succeed Rep. Byron Donalds in Florida's 19th Congressional District. This victory comes despite an endorsement from former President Donald Trump for his opponent, Catalina Lauf, who previously served in the Department of Commerce. Trump's endorsement was made on August 13, shortly before the primary election. Historically, Trump-endorsed candidates have had a high success rate in primaries, with 97% winning as of mid-July 2023. The primary race included several notable candidates, such as former Reps. Madison Cawthorn and Chris Collins. Schwartzel criticized Lauf for her previous political attempts in Illinois, while Lauf defended her move to Florida as a choice rather than a political strategy. Following Trump's endorsement, Schwartzel expressed that the anger from his supporters should be directed at the out-of-state super PACs involved in the race rather than at Trump himself.