Marco Island—Former Congressman Chris Colllins (R) has landed a broad political body blow against his Republican congressional primary opponents as he tries to secure the nomination in the highly-contentious race in Florida's 19th District to replace retiring Rep. Byron Donalds.
During an interview with The Floridian, Rep. Collins called his primary opponents a bunch of losers, who only "only know how to lose," while he knew how to win.
Rep. Collins, who served in the U.S. House of Representatives from January 3, 2013 – October 1, 2019 before resigning and pleading guilty to lying to the FBI and insider trading, outlined how several of his opponents—Catalina Lauf, Ola Hawatmeh, Madison Cawthorn, Jim Oberweis—had previously lost the past elections they had run in.
"So, you think about these people. I know how to win .I win. They know how to lose," said Rep. Collins. " Catalina Lauf—she's lost twice. Ola's lost once or twice. Oberweis has lost so many times they call him the Milk Dud. Madison Cawhtorn couldn't win his own primary," said Collins.
Lauf ran for Congres against Oberweis in Illinois' 14th District back in 2020, and lost. Lauf then ran again in 2022 in CD 11, and won the primary election, but later lost the general contest.
Hawatmeh ran and lost in the Republican primary election for New York's 19th District in 2020.
Cawthorn, who previously served one term in the House of Representatives, lost his primary election in 2022, apparently as a result of several scandals he was involved in.
And then there is former Illinois State Senator Jim Oberweis, who has lost a string elections since leaving the state legislature. Oberweis previously owned Oberweis dairy, hence Collins' reference to milk.
"They know how to lose ,I know how to win, and I've got a team that knows how to win that's the biggest difference," he added.
Other candidates include Jim Schwartzel, Stephen Elliot, Dylan Modarelli, Jim Oberweis, Mike Pedersen, Louis Shenker, and John Strand.
Democratic candidates include Martin Kane, Victor Arias, and Howard Sapp.
Florida's contentious primary election will take place on August 18th.
