Former Congressman Madison Cawthorn, one of the youngest individuals ever elected to the U.S. House, announced his candidacy for a congressional seat in Florida on Tuesday. The 30-year-old Republican, who previously represented Asheville and nearby areas in western North Carolina from 2021 to 2023, is now aiming to secure a position in the solidly Republican Fort Myers region, which is currently held by Representative Byron Donalds. Donalds is leaving the seat to pursue the GOP nomination for Florida’s 2026 gubernatorial race.
Cawthorn garnered significant media attention during his previous term after making claims about illicit activities in Washington, alleging that influential figures had invited him to partake in drug use and orgies. His political journey has not been without controversy; after losing his re-election bid in North Carolina’s GOP primary in 2022, he now faces a competitive field in Florida that includes former New York Representative Chris Collins. Collins resigned in 2019 amid an insider trading scandal but was later granted a pardon by former President Trump.
In his campaign video announcement, Cawthorn emphasized his commitment to aligning with President Trump, advocating for conservative values, and opposing what he described as the radical left. During his time in office, he promoted unfounded conspiracy theories regarding the 2020 presidential election, asserting, without proof, that election systems were manipulated.
Cawthorn’s political career has been marred by scandals, including a series of traffic violations and incidents involving firearms at airport security checks in North Carolina. He faced a misdemeanor charge related to one of the gun incidents but was not charged in the other case. Despite the challenges, Cawthorn is determined to make his mark in Florida politics and carry forward his conservative agenda.