Schwartzel, a lifelong Southwest Florida resident and successful media executive, was one of the leading candidates in Tuesday’s Republican primary for Florida's 19th Congressional District.

The Associated Press called the District 19 race at 8:03 p.m., naming Schwartzel, who earned 29.2% of the vote over runner-up Catalina Lauf, who received 21.9%.

Schwartzel raised over $2 million for his campaign and spent around $1.88 million, according to Federal Election Commission data.

As president of Sun Broadcasting, Schwartzel has positioned himself as an outsider businessman in the mold of President Donald Trump. President Trump did not endorse Schwartzel for Congress despite basing his campaign identity on him.

President Trump, however, did make a late endorsement of Lauf, granting the trailing candidate a last-minute boost in the polls ahead of the primary.

Trump described Lauf as an "America First Patriot" who served as a presidential appointee at the U.S. Department of Commerce during his first administration.

Lauf unsuccessfully ran for Congress in Illinois' 14th District in 2020 and in the 11th District in 2022. She relocated to Florida and registered as a Republican there about 15 months ago.

Lauf’s campaign generated around $1.67 million and spent around $1.57 million throughout this campaign cycle.

Jim Oberweis, a longtime Republican businessman and politician, built a business career as chairman of the family-owned Oberweis Dairy and as founder of Oberweis Asset Management, which grew its assets under management to more than $5 billion.

FEC data found Oberweis raised more than $5.3 million for the race and spent $3.08 million on this campaign.

Oberweis served two terms in the Illinois State Senate representing the 25th District from 2013 to 2021 and rose to the position of Senate Republican Whip.

Oberweis finished the race with 15.8% of the vote.

Schwartzel will face off against the Democratic nominee on November 3, with the winner taking over Donalds’ old position.