Jim
Schwartzel
Republican nominee for Florida's 19th Congressional District; media executive and Naples native seeking his first elected office
- sources
- 7
- positions
- 11
- endorsements
- 6
Background
Jim Schwartzel is a Republican media executive and Naples native running for Florida's 19th Congressional District in the November 2026 general election. A lifelong Southwest Florida resident, he graduated from Bishop Verot High School and earned a degree in business and finance from Stetson University in 1998. While in college, he interned in Washington, D.C., for former lawmakers Connie Mack and Porter Goss. 413
Before entering politics, Schwartzel built a career in broadcasting and media. He served as president of Sun Broadcasting for more than a decade, overseeing properties including Gulfshore Life and Gulfshore Business magazines, and his campaign biography states he owns and operates 92.5 FOX News and Gulfshore Life Media. He has not previously held elected public office. 4132
Schwartzel won the Republican primary for Florida's 19th Congressional District on August 18, 2026, defeating nine other candidates. The seat became open because incumbent Byron Donalds opted to run for governor rather than seek re-election. 111
The Florida Division of Elections lists Schwartzel as a qualified Republican candidate for the 2026 general election. His campaign priorities and official biography are published at jimforcongress.com. 1012
At a glance
- Party
- Republican
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 19, Florida
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Media executive; owner/operator of 92.5 FOX News and Gulfshore Life Media
- Website
- jimforcongress.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Date unknownendorsementGov. DeSantis endorses Schwartzel alongside nine other Republican congressional candidates in Tallahassee
In the last week of August, after the primary, Gov. Ron DeSantis hosted and endorsed a group of nine Republican congressional candidates in Tallahassee, including Schwartzel.
Jim Schwartzel | Biography & Record — The Conservative Ledger · Sep 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 22debateWGCU program raises debate question, citing no strategic advantage for Schwartzel to debate Arias
A WGCU Southwest Florida In Focus episode discussed whether Schwartzel would debate Democratic nominee Victor Arias. The segment described observers saying they saw 'no strategic advantage to debating' Arias as it could give him a platform. No debate had been confirmed scheduled as of the sources reviewed.
Southwest Florida In Focus | Season 2026 | Southwest Florida In Focus | Episode 375| September 22nd, 2026 · Sep 22, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 2endorsementTrump endorses Schwartzel for FL-19 after backing rival Lauf in the primary
Trump endorsed Schwartzel, writing: 'It is my Great Honor to endorse MAGA Warrior, Jim Schwartzel, who is running to represent the wonderful people of Florida's 19th Congressional District!' This came after Trump had backed Lauf in the primary.
Jim Schwartzel | Biography & Record — The Conservative Ledger · Sep 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 18newsSchwartzel wins Republican primary in FL-19 with 29.1% in ten-candidate field
Schwartzel received 26,153 votes (29.1%) in the Republican primary, ahead of Trump-endorsed Catalina Lauf (19,722) and Jim Oberweis (14,110). Democrat Victor Arias also won his party's nomination the same day.
Jim Schwartzel | Biography & Record — The Conservative Ledger · Sep 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 18newsTrump-endorsed Catalina Lauf defeated by Schwartzel in FL-19 Republican primary
Lauf had received President Trump's endorsement shortly before the primary but was defeated by Schwartzel, who led the ten-candidate field with 29.1% of the vote.
Trump's Support Couldn't Save These 14 Candidates From Primary Defeat · Sep 18, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Ron DeSantis officialFlorida Governor Ron DeSantis reportedly endorsed Schwartzel after the primary, as part of a slate of Republican congressional nominees. Exact date not established in the sources reviewed. floridapolitics.com
- Donald Trump officialPresident Donald Trump endorsed Schwartzel for the general election, stating: "It is my Great Honor to endorse MAGA Warrior, Jim Schwartzel…" Trump had previously endorsed Schwartzel's primary opponent, Catalina Lauf. floridapolitics.com · Sep 2, 2026
- Connie Mack III officialFormer U.S. Senator Connie Mack III endorsed Schwartzel in the Republican primary. floridapolitics.com · Aug 11, 2026
- Connie Mack IV officialFormer U.S. Rep. Connie Mack IV endorsed Schwartzel in the Republican primary. floridapolitics.com · Aug 11, 2026
- Steve Scalise officialU.S. House Majority Leader Scalise endorsed Schwartzel in the Republican primary, stating Schwartzel "has my complete and total endorsement." floridapolitics.com · Aug 10, 2026
- Jim Jordan officialU.S. Rep. Jim Jordan endorsed Schwartzel in the Republican primary. floridapolitics.com · Aug 10, 2026
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $2.07M
- Spent
- $1.88M
- Cash on hand
- $182K
As of Jul 29, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6FL19137(opens in a new tab)
Sources 7
- [1] Southwest Florida In Focus | Season 2026 | Southwest Florida In Focus | Episode 375| September 22nd, 2026(opens in a new tab) Sep 22, 2026
- [2] Trump's Support Couldn't Save These 14 Candidates From Primary Defeat(opens in a new tab) Sep 18, 2026
- [3] Jim Schwartzel | Biography & Record — The Conservative Ledger(opens in a new tab) Sep 17, 2026
- [4] Donald Trump backs eight GOP candidates for Congress in Florida open and battleground districts(opens in a new tab) Sep 2, 2026
- [5] Connie Mack III, Connie Mack IV both endorse Jim Schwartzel in CD 19 Primary(opens in a new tab) Aug 11, 2026
- [6] Steve Scalise, Jim Jordan line up behind Jim Schwartzel in CD 19 Primary dogfight(opens in a new tab) Aug 10, 2026
- [7] Meet Congressional District 19 hopeful Jim Schwartzel before election(opens in a new tab) Aug 7, 2026