Hollywood - Republican congressional candidate Catalina Lauf criticized fellow opponent and former Congressman Madison Cawthorn for past accusations of insider trading and being a carpetbagger during the District 19 debate at the Sunshine State Showdown at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.
"I think ultimately the people of Southwest Florida want a fighter and a servant leader like Byron Donalds, and frankly, Madison Cawthorn is clearly there to serve himself, his own interest," Lauf told The Floridian after the debate. "He's on a redemption tour to go back to Congress. He's in his mind, he's a victim. The people of Southwest Florida want someone serious, they want someone policy-oriented, but they want someone who's going to serve them, not themselves."
Rep. Cawthorn was accused of insider trading in 2022 over his involvement in a meme cryptocurrency "Let's Go Brandon" coin. After an investigation by the Houe Ethics Committee, Cawthorn wasn't charged over the allegation, however he was fined over $14,000 by the committee for improperly promoting the currency and another $1,000 for failing to file timely transaction reports to the House over his cryptocurrency assets.
Cawthorn moved to Southwest Florida in August 2022. He launched his congressional run in 2025, referencing the assignation of Charlie Kirk as reasoning for his jump back into politics.
Notably, Lauf moved to Southwest Florida after living and running for political office in Illinois. Cawthorn, joined by candidate Ola Hawatmeh on stage, brushed off Lauf's remarks as essential theatrics after the debate. Lauf also attacked opponent Chris Collins, who was not present, for being convicted of insider trading as U.S. representative of New York in 2019.
"I'm here to advance the causes of Southwest Florida and District 19, I'm not really interested in kind of a side-show," Cawthorn told The Floridian afterward. "I feel like the time for my other opponent was just dominated with just talking about me. I think people really want to hear what you're going to do for the district rather than just random attacks on people."
Florida's primary election will take place on August 18th.
