With U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds running for Governor, Florida’s 19th Congressional District will host the most crowded field of congressional candidates in the state.

With the qualification deadline passed, the Republican Primary field includes two former Congressmen who previously represented other states: Madison Cawthorn and Chris Collins. Major self-funders include Jim Oberweis, a dairy farm owner and former Illinois lawmaker, and Jim Schwartzel, president of Sun Broadcasting.

But others with high profiles include author and health activist Catalina Lauf and former congressional staffer Ola Hawatmeh. Veteran Mike Pedersen also qualified, as did late entries Greg “Tex” Bukowski, a Sarasota County Charter Review Board member, and Linda Sawyer, a former researcher at the National Institutes of Health. Pardoned Jan. 6 insurrectionist John Strand also has a place on the GOP Primary ballot. Constitutionalist Seth Haskin also qualified shortly before the deadline.

In total, that makes 11 Republicans running for the open seat. That’s an even larger field than the last time CD 19 was up for grabs, when 10 GOP candidates qualified. That year, Donalds ultimately emerged from the GOP Primary before going on to win the 2020 General Election to succeed former U.S. Rep. Frances Rooney.

On the Democratic side, Howard Sapp, a former state House candidate and air traffic controller, and Victor Arias, managing attorney of Arias Law Firm, made the ballot. Shortly before the deadline, Robert Neeld, who previously challenged former GOP Reps. Connie Mack IV and Rooney also qualified for the Democratic Primary.

Seth Haskin also qualified in the race without party affiliation and, in November, will face whoever wins the Democratic and Republican nominations this August. A write-in candidate, Alexandra Zakhvatayev, also qualified in the race.

The winner of the Republican Primary in August will be a heavy favorite to win the Republican-heavy district. More than 69% of voters in the district, under a new map enacted by Gov. Ron DeSantis, voted for Republican Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election while just 34% backed Democrat Kamala Harris.

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