Conservative activist and writer Catalina Lauf just jumped into the race to succeed U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds.
The Bonita Springs Republican, following months of speculation, formally announced she will run in Florida’s 19th Congressional District. A member of President Donald Trump’s first administration, Lauf said she would bring MAGA values with her to Congress.
“Southwest Florida deserves bold, principled leadership — leaders in the mold of Byron Donalds, who stand up fearlessly for our values, and who are champions of President Trump’s America First agenda,” Lauf said in a statement to Florida Politics. “I was proud to work for President Trump’s administration and now I’m running to continue that tradition of strength, courage, and service for the people of FL-19.”
Lauf served as a special adviser[1] to the U.S. Department of Commerce from December 2018 to July 2019. That’s around when she founded the Defense of Freedom PAC[2], where she still serves as Executive Director.
She notably ran for Congress in 2020 in Illinois’ 14th Congressional District, but lost in a Republican Primary[3] to Jim Oberweis. As it happens, she faces Oberweis again this year, as he was the first Republican[4] to file in CD 19 after Donalds announced he was running for Governor instead of seeking re-election.
At this point, Lauf is entering a field with several high-profile Republicans already in the mix.
Sun Broadcasting President Jim Schwartzel filed in April[5]. Veteran Mike Pedersen jumped into the race in May[6].
Former U.S. Rep. Madison Cawthorn, who previously represented North Carolina, formally entered the race[7] just a day before Lauf. That puts the two MAGA figures and Southwest Florida transplants in competition for the Trump wing of the party’s support in a crowded field.
Other Republicans filed include Johnny Fratto, Dylan Modarelli and Ola Nesheswat.
Democrat Howard Sapp has also filed.
However, the Republican Primary next August will most likely determine who will next represent Southwest Florida in Congress, given the district’s rightward lean. In November, nearly 64% of voters in the district supported Trump over Democrat Kamala Harris for President, according to MCI Maps[8].
References
- ^ special adviser (www.linkedin.com)
- ^ Defense of Freedom PAC (defendfreedom.com)
- ^ lost in a Republican Primary (news.wttw.com)
- ^ first Republican (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ in April (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ in May (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ formally entered the race (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ MCI Maps (www.reddit.com)