In southwest Florida, ten Republicans are vying for the nomination to replace Rep. With the majority of candidates from outside the state - it's raising questions about representation. In Southwest Florida, Republican voters have a big decision to make on Tuesday.
The congressional district left open by Congressman Byron Donalds' run for governor is a safe Republican seat. It's a crowded race, and the stakes are high. As NPR political reporter Maham Javaid reports, the race has attracted an interesting cast of candidates.
MAHAM JAVAID, BYLINE: Despite a fierce thunderstorm in and around Naples, an impassioned crowd of young and old has gathered on a Wednesday night to meet and greet with Republican candidates. JAVAID: The venue is Seed to Table, a popular local grocery store whose owner endorses political candidates and hosts conservative events. Voters have come to learn more about the diverse set of characters, many of whom are not originally from here, running in this Southwest Florida Congressional District.
UNIDENTIFIED PERSON #1: So we have to recognize... JAVAID: But in this very tight and crowded race, where almost all 10 candidates are Trump loyalists, a tension has developed between those who have deep roots in Florida and those who recently moved here for work, warmer weather or to run in this race. UNIDENTIFIED NARRATOR: Many of the candidates running for Congress here aren't even from here.
Failed politicians from Chicago and New York couldn't get... JAVAID: That's an ad for Jim Schwartzel, a local media mogul and one of the ever-Florida candidates. He's leaning into being from Florida by attacking others who aren't.
AUBREY JEWETT: The carpetbagger label, you know, which is sort of traditionally what you call politicians who come to a state and haven't been there very long and then try to run for office. JAVAID: That's Aubrey Jewett, who teaches politics at the University of Central Florida. The term carpetbagger evoked a lot of responses from the candidates.
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