Trump’s Influence Dominates 2026 Primaries with Key Victories
President Donald Trump continues to exert substantial influence in the 2026 primary season with a string of victories for his endorsed candidates. Notably, Ken Paxton’s win in the Texas Senate primary runoff highlights Trump’s grip on the GOP.
Fox News’ Madeleine Rivera underscores how these victories affirm Trump’s power within the party. Yet, not all contests conform to the trend. In Florida, media executive Jim Schwartzel secured the GOP nomination over Trump’s endorsed candidate, despite the president’s backing of his opponent.
Trump had thrown his support behind Catalina Lauf, formerly of the Department of Commerce during his first term. This endorsement shook up the race for Florida’s 19th Congressional District just days before the vote. Although the broader trend shows a strong success rate for Trump’s endorsees, with a 97% win rate as of mid-July, Schwartzel’s victory defied expectations.
Ballotpedia reflects Trump’s endorsement success hovering above 93% since 2018. However, the Florida race, characterized by major personalities, provided a different narrative. Alongside Schwartzel and Lauf, contenders included former Rep. Madison Cawthorn, former Rep. Chris Collins, and former Illinois state senator Jim Oberweis. This assembly grabbed media attention, earning the label “GOP’s carpetbagger primary.”
On the campaign trail, Schwartzel criticized Lauf for her previous Congressional bids in Illinois, underscoring his deeper Floridian roots. Lauf countered, branding herself as a “blue state refugee” rather than a “carpetbagger.” She asserted her choice to settle in Florida, despite her Illinois origins.
Schwartzel faced accusations from Lauf, alleging his role in a media personnel firing. He denied involvement, attributing such claims to out-of-state political interests influencing the race.
The night of Trump’s endorsement brought expressions of disapproval from Schwartzel’s supporters. Schwartzel urged them to direct their frustration at external political forces, emphasizing his continuous support for Trump despite the endorsement of his rival.