Candidates Compete for Florida’s 19th Congressional District Seat

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The race for Florida’s 19th Congressional District has attracted a diverse group of candidates, including former members of Congress and Trump-pardon recipients. Many have recently moved to this district, which covers parts of Cape Coral, Naples, and Fort Myers.

One notable candidate is John Strand, a former model, actor, and convicted Jan. 6 rioter who was pardoned. Originally from Beverly Hills, California, Strand is now vying for the Republican nomination in this largely conservative district.

Strand is not alone in lacking deep roots in the area. In a field dominated by Trump loyalists, candidates debate each other’s ties to the community. While some criticize others for moving to the district to run, voters often prioritize conservative representation over local origins.

“He comes from a very conservative family and wants to preserve conservative values,” said Jeanine Rutherford, a Naples resident, about Strand. “It doesn’t matter he’s not originally from Florida.”

Inside the campaign venue, Strand stated, “It’s hypocritical for candidates to use the ‘carpetbagger’ label in a state where many residents moved recently.”

Other candidates like Jim Schwartzel, a longtime Florida resident and media mogul, argue their deep ties to the state set them apart. Schwartzel’s campaign ads target opponents who relocated from states like Illinois and New York.

Jim Oberweis, another candidate, responds to such criticism by emphasizing his 16-year residency in Bonita Springs, stating, “I’ve owned a home in Florida longer than any of my opponents.” Catalina Lauf, who recently moved to Florida and received Trump’s endorsement, argues for the importance of shared values over birthplace.

“I can’t control where I was born,” Lauf said, “but I choose to build a life here in Florida.”

The crowded field also includes former North Carolina Rep. Madison Cawthorn, Linda Sawyer, and Ola Hawatmeh, all with ties to other states. Candidates face a unique challenge in a district with many voters who are also transplants.

Therese Wilkinson, a Fort Myers resident, expressed indifference to candidates’ backgrounds, focusing instead on their values. “I don’t care that they’re from other states,” she said.

Jim Dean, another voter, echoed this sentiment but plans to support Mike Pedersen, a local veteran known for his “old school American values.” Despite his connections, Pedersen struggles in local polls.

Local Republican official Mercedes Price-Harry noted that many hopefuls view southwest Florida as an easy target, only to find the community protective of its identity. “People don’t realize how right wing and particular we are here,” she said.