John Strand, a convicted and pardoned participant in the January 6 riot, spoke at an event on June 13, 2023, at the U.S. Capitol. Strand is pursuing the Republican nomination for Florida’s 19th Congressional District. This race has drawn a variety of candidates, including those with connections to former President Trump. Many candidates have only recently moved to this district, which encompasses areas like Cape Coral, Naples, and Fort Myers.
Among the candidates is John Strand, previously a model and actor, who grew up in Beverly Hills, California. Although he lacks longstanding ties to Florida, Strand emphasizes his commitment to preserving conservative values. This situation is typical in this primary, where most candidates identify strongly as Trump supporters. Discussions have arisen about the candidates’ recent relocations and accusations of being ‘carpetbaggers,’ a term for those who move to gain political influence. These accusations, however, seem to hold less weight with many voters, who prioritize candidates’ ideological alignment over their origins.
Debate Over Local Roots
While some candidates stress their established connections to Florida, others argue that representation of conservative principles matters more. Jeanine Rutherford, a 67-year-old Naples resident, supports Strand for his conservative family background, unaffected by his non-Florida roots. Strand points out the hypocrisy in the ‘carpetbagger’ label, given that many Floridians are recent arrivals themselves.
Candidates like Jim Schwartzel, a local media figure, campaign by highlighting their deeper ties to Florida. His advertisements criticize other candidates who relocated to Florida for political gain, such as Chris Collins and Jim Oberweis. Oberweis defends his long-time residence in Bonita Springs, emphasizing his 16-year local property ownership.
Recent transplant Catalina Lauf, who previously ran in Illinois, echoes similar sentiments. Lauf insists her ‘faith, family, and freedom’ values distinguish her candidacy and support her decision to build a life in Florida.
Trump’s Endorsement
Lauf’s candidacy gained momentum with Trump’s endorsement, highlighting her ‘courage and wisdom’ demonstrated during her tenure at the U.S. Department of Commerce.
A Diverse Candidate Pool
The candidate field is diverse, including notable figures like Madison Cawthorn, previously from North Carolina, and Linda Sawyer, who campaigns on healthcare. Sawyer has ties to Michigan, while Ola Hawatmeh has a background in New York. Greg Bukowski, known as Tex, recently relocated from Texas.
Some candidates, like Mike Pedersen, a long-time Cape Coral resident, emphasize their established local ties. Despite this, local support has not significantly boosted his standings in polls.
Mercedes Price-Harry, a county Republican official, notes the appeal of Florida as a political opportunity and warns against underestimating local voter expectations. She emphasizes the protectiveness and distinct conservative nature of the Southwest Florida community.