Trump Endorsement Fails as Schwartzel Wins Florida Primary

Jim Schwartzel, a conservative media executive and Florida businessman, won the Republican primary for Florida's 19th Congressional District on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, in an upset victory over President Donald Trump's endorsed candidate, Catalina Lauf. The Associated Press called the race for Schwartzel, who secured approximately 29 percent of the vote in a crowded field of ten candidates. Lauf, a former Commerce Department official, finished second with roughly 22 percent.

The result represents a notable defeat for President Trump, whose endorsement of Lauf on August 13 was intended to solidify her support just days before the election. Despite that high-profile backing and endorsements from other conservative figures, voters in the solidly Republican district chose Schwartzel, a lifelong Florida resident who owns a conservative talk radio station. Schwartzel's campaign emphasized his deep local roots and criticized opponents who had recently moved to the state.

Lauf had previously run for Congress in Illinois in 2020 and 2022 before relocating to Southwest Florida. Her campaign centered on a "next-generation America First" platform, highlighting her experience as a business...