“He was 25 years old when he came to Congress. Everybody has an opportunity to grow and mature,” Donalds said.
Cawthorn, who represented North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District from 2021 to 2023, is reportedly already meeting with Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill to discuss his prospective campaign. He reportedly did not meet with Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA).
Cawthorn, now 29, was one of the youngest members ever elected to Congress, but his brief tenure was marked by controversy. He faced accusations of sexual misconduct, twice attempted to carry a gun through airport security, and once brought a weapon onto school grounds. He also drew outrage for claiming that members of the Republican conference used cocaine and participated in orgies. Cawthorn later admitted to then-GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy that those claims were “exaggerated.”
Despite receiving an endorsement from President Donald Trump, Cawthorn lost his 2022 primary to Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-NC) after just one term. He later relocated to Florida.
Florida’s 19th District, which covers the Naples and Fort Myers area, is solidly Republican. Donalds won reelection in 2024 by more than 30 points, and national Republicans are not concerned about losing the seat in November. But the GOP primary is expected to be competitive, with at least five candidates already filing paperwork to run and more expected to join.
Donalds confirmed to Axios that Cawthorn approached him about entering the race, but he stopped short of endorsing his former colleague. “He was 25 years old when he came to Congress. Everybody has an opportunity to grow and mature,” Donalds said.
Cawthorn still faces ongoing issues with the Federal Election Commission. In February, it was revealed he owes nearly $18,000 in penalties and could face seizure of funds or referral to the Department of Justice if he fails to address the matter.
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