Jim Schwartzel

Jim Schwartzel is a Southwest Florida broadcaster and publisher who won the Republican primary for the open 19th District seat on August 18, 2026. He owns and operates conservative radio stations and a local newspaper publisher. In his Candidate Connection survey he describes himself as a businessman and outsider and says he is running to support President Trump's agenda.[1][2]

Schwartzel was born in Naples, Florida, according to Ballotpedia, and describes himself as a lifelong Southwest Florida resident.[1] He graduated from Bishop Verot High School in Fort Myers and earned a bachelor's degree from Stetson University in 1998.[1][2] He says his first job, at age 12, was watering and sweeping the clay tennis courts at The Landings in Fort Myers.[1] Ballotpedia lists his career experience as business owner and president; according to The Floridian, he owns and operates 92.5 FOX News and Trump County 93.7 Radio in Southwest Florida and owns Gulfshore Life Media, which publishes the Naples Press.[1][2]

Schwartzel announced his candidacy in April 2025, after Rep. Byron Donalds said he would not seek re-election and would run for governor.[2] He described himself to reporters as a non-politician and said he would buy his own ads on his stations rather than block other candidates' ads.[2] He won the August 18, 2026 Republican primary in a field of ten candidates with 29.1% of the vote.[1] According to his campaign survey, he is married to Carly and they have two children.[1]

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21.