The Republican primary for the 19th Congressional District has been called, and Jim Schwartzel has been declared the winner.
The Results
The projected tally, reported by NBC, has Schwartzel winning with 29.2% of the vote. Second place has former Trump Administration official Catalina Lauf with 21.8% of the vote, followed by Jim Overweis with 16% and Madison Cawthorn with 8.5%.
Lauf's Trump Endorsement Fails
The race was highlighted by Lauf and former Representative Madison Cawthorn (R-MO), especially during the heated debate between the 19th District candidates in late June.
"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."
"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."
On Thursday, President Donald Trump gave his endorsement to Lauf, saying, "Catalina has proven she has the Courage and Wisdom to deliver strong results for the incredible people of her State and Nation — She has truly been with us from the beginning! As your next Congresswoman, Catalina will fight tirelessly to Grow our Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Support our Military/Veterans, Advance Election Integrity, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment."
