Trump-backed Lauf falls to Schwartzel in open House race for Donalds seat

Published Updated



President Donald Trump‘s pick for Florida’s 19th Congressional District, Catalina Lauf, lost the Republican primary on Tuesday, falling to businessman Jim Schwartzel in the bid to succeed Rep. Byron Donalds, who is running for governor.

Schwartzel won with 29.2% of the vote when the Associated Press called the race at 8 p.m. Lauf, a former Trump adviser, trailed at 21.9%, followed by several other candidates, including former Reps. Madison Cawthorn and Chris Collins. 

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