Polling Average
12%10%8%6%4%2%0%
7.3%
9.0%
5.8%
5.7%
Republican
Jim Schwartzel
FL-19 Republican nominee?
$30.1K
AUG 19, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleBroadcasting executive
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyTrump-aligned Republican
GenderMale
LocationFlorida
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BackgroundBroadcasting executive
EducationBishop Verot High School (graduate)
Notable personal detailsJim Schwartzel is a Republican candidate for the U.S. House in Florida’s 19th Congressional District. He is a Southwest Florida media executive and has been described as president of Fort Myers-based Sun Broadcasting. He has also been identified as the owner/operator of conservative talk radio station 92.5 FOX News in Southwest Florida and as the owner of Gulfshore Life Media.
SourcesShowHide
fec.govjimforcongress.combusinessobserverfl.comdocquery.fec.goven.wikipedia.orgelectrepublicans.orgthecandidate.comcongressionaldistricthealthdashboard.orgflvoicenews.comfloridianpress.comjustapedia.orgen-academic.comdos.fl.govquiverquant.comapnews.comboe.ohio.govmartinvotes.govarxiv.orgopencampaign.comtermlimits.comdos.elections.myflorida.comveroguide.comthedailybeast.comkrtv.comjimforwi.comwdet.orgjournal-news.comfloridapolitics.comwashingtonexaminer.comnaplesnews.compredictionedge.cominsideradio.comnews.ballotpedia.orglocalcandidates.orgyahoo.comfacebook.cominstagram.comballotready.orgvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgjudiciary.house.govagriculture.house.govyoung.senate.govziplook.house.govgottheimer.house.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
The candidate supports keeping taxes low, cutting burdensome regulations, and opposing expanded “socialist” spending. He emphasizes policies to make it easier for small businesses to thrive and to reduce government spending that he links to inflation and reduced opportunity.
Healthcare
Supports local, community-based approaches to healthcare and opposes federal mandates and what he calls ‘socialist policies’ that increase healthcare costs. Emphasizes reducing government spending and preferring local solutions over expanded federal programs.
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Immigration & Border
The candidate supports finishing the border wall, strict enforcement of immigration laws, and deportation of those who enter illegally while saying he favors legal immigration. He frames illegal immigration as a national security and public-safety threat and prioritizes stopping illicit drugs and illegal entry.
Climate & Energy
The candidate emphasizes "energy independence" and opposes federal mandates, favoring local solutions and common-sense water management to protect waterways and beaches. The platform frames environmental regulation as something to resist when driven by "environmental extremists" and prioritizes economic growth and reduced regulation.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate affirms defending the right to keep and bear arms and says he will preserve gun ownership as a constitutional liberty while emphasizing support for law enforcement and public safety. His campaign frames these positions within a broader pro-Second Amendment, pro-police platform.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 15, 2026
Jim Schwartzel is running in the crowded Republican primary for Florida’s 19th Congressional District, which opened up after Byron Donalds launched a governor bid. The race has no clear frontrunner yet, and Schwartzel is one of several candidates trying to stand out in a heavily Republican district. He was also mentioned in a separate local political dispute tied to a WINK News lawsuit, which he has denied any involvement in.
fec.gov+44
Articles
NDNaples Daily News5 months ago
Who is running for Byron Donalds Florida 19 seat?
Neutral
WEWashington Examiner1 month ago
Congressional candidate says he would rename I
Positive
NDNaples Daily News1 month ago
Publishers, pilots, pardoned politicians: Who's running for FL-19?
Neutral
NNews-Press4 months ago
WINK News sues Matt Devitt over firing, WeatherView dispute
Neutral
Polls
FL-19 Republican nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$1.9M
$1.5M
$973.4K
$486.7K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$1.9M
$625.5K
$1.3M
$73.4K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements