Former U.S. Representative Madison Cawthorn is launching a campaign for the Congressional seat in Florida’s 19th district.
Cawthorn, originally from Asheville, North Carolina, officially submitted his candidacy to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) on Wednesday. He has lived in Florida for several years now.
The GOP candidate mentioned during a conversation with a news outlet that he was motivated by a conservative activist and the recent assassination of former Turning Point USA CEO Charlie Kirk.
Cawthorn expressed that he felt he really had “no choice,” emphasizing that residents of Florida deserve a strong representative in Washington, D.C. “I think I’m the right person for the job,” he said.
At the age of 30, Cawthorn previously represented North Carolina’s 11th Congressional district from 2021 to 2023. He identifies as a constitutional conservative.
“If you want someone who will go to Washington and get lost in the swamp, I’m not that guy. But if you’re looking for someone who will champion conservative values and uphold morality and ethics, then I’m your man,” he stated.
Cawthorn’s campaign will focus on the GOP-leaning district, which includes areas like Naples, Cape Coral, and Fort Myers. This district is currently served by Representative Byron Donald, who is expected to take Ron DeSantis’ place, as DeSantis is running for re-election as Governor of Florida.
As of now, Cawthorn is up against five other Republican candidates in the race, with the primary election scheduled for August 18, 2026.
