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Trump Endorses Catalina Lauf in Florida’s 19th Primary

8/16/2026

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Trump Endorses Lauf

U.S. President Donald Trump endorsed Catalina Lauf for Republican primary in Florida’s 19th Congressional District on August 13, 2026.
Lauf publicly accused rival Jim Schwartzel of involvement in meteorologist Matt Devitt’s dismissal.
Early voting for the August 18 primary began on August 3.
By Thursday, more than 1.3 million voters had cast early or mail ballots.
The district, covering Lee and coastal Collier counties, gave Trump 64 % of its 2024 vote.

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Trump Endorses Lauf

U.S. President Donald Trump endorsed Catalina Lauf for the Republican primary in Florida’s 19th Congressional District on August 13, 2026.
The endorsement is framed as legitimizing Trump’s overt racism and heightening concerns among Florida’s Black voters.
Black Republican Congressman Byron Donalds, who praised Trump, leads primary polls after receiving the endorsement.
Ron DeSantis’s wife’s charity allegedly diverted $10 million from a Medicaid settlement to anti-abortion, anti-marijuana committees.

History

Historical Context

In the 2000 Florida recount, the U.S. Supreme Court halted a statewide review on Dec 12, 2000, leaving George W. Bush ahead by just 537 votes—a result that cemented Florida’s reputation as a decisive swing state. Since the 2022 midterms, analysts note the state’s shift toward a reliable red stronghold, highlighted by Donald Trump’s 13.1-point victory in 2024.

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Trump Endorses Lauf

U.S. President Donald Trump endorsed Catalina Lauf for Republican primary in Florida’s 19th Congressional District on August 13, 2026.
Lauf publicly accused rival Jim Schwartzel of involvement in meteorologist Matt Devitt’s dismissal.
Early voting for the August 18 primary began on August 3.
By Thursday, more than 1.3 million voters had cast early or mail ballots.
The district, covering Lee and coastal Collier counties, gave Trump 64 % of its 2024 vote.

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