Mirror, Mirror on the political wall, who is the Trumpiest Republican candidate running for Congress in Southwest Florida of them all?
As is the case in just about every Republican congressional primary race this election cycle, candidates are hell-bent on garnering the coveted endorsement of President Donald Trump. They are actively pushing the narrative that their respective campaigns are "America First," or the true Trump candidacy.
This is the case in Florida's contentious race to replace Rep. Byron Donalds in the 19th Congressional District.
From what we have learned, most, if not all, of the candidates in this primary race are telling prospective donors that they will be the recipients of President Trump's endorsement.
The Floridian can report that the White House considers this primary race "wide open," or up for grabs.
The Trump endorsement of any of the candidates will end this primary race. It's just that simple.
So, we asked just about all the GOP candidates in the race what they have done to help promote "President Trump's America First Agenda."
As expected, all of the candidates put forth their best pro-Trump, pro-America First responses.
Republican Candidates Looking to Replace Byron Donalds in Congress Talk About Water Issue, Needs of CD 19 Voters (Part 1)
The Question
Since he was first elected, what have you done to help push forward President Trump’s America First agenda?
The Answers
Jim Schwartzel: As the owner of 92.5 FOX News Radio, I built the most influential conservative media platform in Southwest Florida. Our station has consistently promoted President Trump’s America First agenda and given conservative leaders a trusted outlet to directly communicate with voters. No other media outlet in this region has done more to support and defend those ideas.
Mike Pedersen: Since President Trump was first elected, as I have for 26 years right here in SWFL, my service has centered around mentoring young people in our SW Florida community who want to serve our country — to include guiding candidates pursuing appointments to our military academies and other pathways into our all-volunteer force. Preparing the next generation of leaders who are willing to serve is vital. “America First” isn’t just a slogan — it means building a stronger country and supporting those willing to serve by developing the leaders who will defend it.
Ola Hawtmeh: Throughout both of his presidential campaigns and his first term in office, I was focused on advocating across the nation for President Donald Trump and his America First Agenda initiatives, including border security, building “The Wall”, and cracking down on illegal immigration.
In my current position as a senior policy advisor in the U.S. House of Representatives, I assisted in building support for a major Trump-aligned budget package known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill, and I’m credited for its passage in the House before it moved on to the Senate.
Also, I helped assure that the budget bill got passed by that one deciding vote, which was my boss, encouraging her to vote yes, with the assistance of President Trump’s economic advisor.
Everyone can say they helped promote President Trump, but aside from all of the America First, vote-for-me, chest-pounding speak, no one in this race can say that they helped President Trump pass his Big, Beautiful Bill. NO ONE! I DID!
Catalina Lauf: I am the only candidate in this race who was appointed by President Trump to serve in his administration, where I worked at the United States Department of Commerce helping advance policies that prioritized American industry and economic strength.
As a business owner, I also believe in living the America first agenda, not just talking about it. I do this by supporting American workers, promoting domestic economic growth, and proving that free enterprise and opportunity are still the backbone of this nation.
Jim Oberweis: Keep in mind, I was endorsed by President Trump once before. I spent a significant sum of my own money running as a GOP nominee to promote the President’s agenda and to support conservative ideals in our country, including substantial support for such organizations as Turning Point, USA. I am also proud to have called attention to the problem of illegal immigration long before it become the popular rallying-cry it is today. I am proudly spending my own money again in our campaign for Congress to help the President complete his America First agenda…where I will be a reliable vote to restore fiscal sanity, quality education, safe borders, and an affordable cost of living for all Americans. And as both a successful entrepreneur, a former GOP legislative leader, and a philanthropist for conservative and community-improving causes, I know how to start getting things done for Southwest Florida from Day One in Washington. I think the large financial investment I have made in our campaign is a very strong signal of the passion I have to push forward the President’s America First agenda!
Former Reps. Chris Collins and Madison Cawthorn could not be reached for this article.
