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▼ Bad look for CollinsEthics / CorruptionCriminal Justice

Two Trump Pardons and Busted Rep in Wild Republican Primary

Collins is seeking a Florida House seat after serving prison time for insider trading and receiving a pardon from Trump.

Two Trump Pardons and Busted Rep in Wild Republican Primary
Image · The Daily Beast

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Outlet credibilityThe Daily Beast70/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Sep 30, 2026
tl;dr

A crowded Republican primary for Florida’s 19th congressional district includes John Strand and Chris Collins, both pardoned by Donald Trump after felony convictions, and former representative Madison Cawthorn. Trump also endorsed Catalina Lauf shortly before the primary.

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Former New York representative running in Florida’s 19th District primary

PRIMARY SUBJECT

Republican candidate in Florida’s 19th District primary

Strand's version of this story ↗
Madison Cawthorn
Former U.S. Representative (R-NC)

Former representative and candidate in Florida’s 19th District primary

Cawthorn's version of this story ↗
Chuck Edwards
R · NC-11

Representative who defeated Cawthorn in a 2022 primary

Republican candidate in Florida’s 19th District primary

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who pardoned Strand and Collins and endorsed Lauf

Representative and Strand backer

Republican candidate in Florida’s 19th District primary

Byron Donalds
R · FL-19

Representative vacating the Florida 19th District seat

Republican candidate in Florida’s 19th District primary

Republican candidate in Florida’s 19th District primary

Thom Tillis
R · NC · SEN

Senator who called for a probe into allegations involving Cawthorn

Republican candidate in Florida’s 19th District primary

Republican candidate endorsed by Trump

Republican candidate in Florida’s 19th District primary

ALSO MENTIONED  Mike Flynn, Strand backer; Mike Lindell, Strand backer

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