FL-19 Republican nominee?
$14.0K
AUG 19, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleEntrepreneur
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyTrump-aligned Republican
LocationFlorida
BackgroundEntrepreneur
Show moreShow less
EducationMiami University (Ohio) (graduate)
Notable personal detailsCatalina Lauf is a Republican candidate for the U.S. House in Florida’s 19th Congressional District (2026). She previously served in the Trump administration as an advisor/special advisor at the U.S. Department of Commerce. She is a graduate of Miami University (Ohio) and has described herself as an entrepreneur and co-founder of a children’s health company. Lauf lives in Florida with her husband and is based in Bonita Springs.
SourcesShowHide
Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports tax cuts and pro-growth tax policy, including expanding the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and favors a regulatory and tax environment that benefits small businesses and economic growth. Has pledged to reduce entitlement spending and create a more business-friendly climate.
Healthcare
The candidate opposes single‑payer/Medicare‑for‑All and has taken positions opposing expansions of Medicare authority such as provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act; her public materials and campaign history align with Republican market‑oriented healthcare reforms rather than major public expansions.
Show moreShow less
Immigration & Border
Supports stronger border security and enforcement while emphasizing legal immigration; frames current Democratic policies as enabling an open-border crisis and calls for cracking down on illegal immigration. Positions emphasize protecting communities through tougher border measures rather than proposing expanded pathways or broad regularization.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Opposes abortion and describes herself as pro‑life; opposes federal funding for abortion-related services and supports alternatives such as pregnancy resource centers. Her past campaign materials characterized her as a vocal opponent of late‑term and partial‑birth abortion and said taxpayer funds should not be used to fund organizations that provide abortion services. Some campaign pages stating these positions were later removed or edited.
Climate & Energy
Supports energy independence and economic policies that prioritize lower costs and reduced regulation; emphasizes protecting local coastlines while criticizing Democratic energy policies and opposed the Inflation Reduction Act. Positions favor market-driven solutions and border/security/economic priorities over aggressive federal climate regulations.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate opposes federal legislation that she views as infringing on the Second Amendment and has described herself as firmly against such measures. Her campaign and past statements have emphasized support for gun rights and personal firearm ownership.
News
Catalina Lauf is in the news because she is running in the crowded race for Florida’s 19th Congressional District, which opened up after Byron Donalds decided to run for governor. The contest is still unsettled, with several Republican candidates competing and no clear frontrunner yet. She has also been drawn into a separate local political dispute tied to the WINK News lawsuit, where she accused opponent Jim Schwartzel of being linked to Matt Devitt’s firing, a claim Schwartzel denies.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 20262026
LatestCycle 2026
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Endorsements