Trump’s Influence in GOP Primaries

President Donald Trump continues to wield significant influence in the 2026 primary season, as evident from recent victories in Texas. All candidates endorsed by Trump clinched victories in their contests, underscoring his dominance in the Republican party.

Success in the Texas Primaries

Fox News reporter Madeleine Rivera highlighted Ken Paxton’s win in the Texas Senate primary runoff, alongside other down-ballot races. These outcomes confirm Trump’s sway within the GOP framework.

Florida’s 19th Congressional District Drama

In Florida, media executive Jim Schwartzel secured the GOP nomination to replace Rep. Byron Donalds, despite Trump endorsing his rival. Trump backed Catalina Lauf, who previously worked in the Department of Commerce during his first term. The endorsement, announced on August 13, shook up the race just before the election in Florida’s 19th Congressional District.

The election defied the usual trend of Trump-backed candidates winning, as shown by mid-July statistics where 97% of Trump-endorsed candidates won their primaries. Ballotpedia notes that Trump’s endorsement success rate has stayed above 93% since 2018.

The Competitive Field

Besides Lauf and Schwartzel, the race included former Rep. Madison Cawthorn, ex-Rep. Chris Collins, and Jim Oberweis, a former Illinois state senator. These figures sparked mixed reactions from national media, with Axios dubbing it “the GOP’s carpetbagger primary.” They noted that any candidate emerging victorious from this chaotic primary would likely secure a place in Washington.

Controversy on the Campaign Trail

Schwartzel and Lauf clashed during the campaign. Schwartzel criticized Lauf for previously running for Congress in Illinois before moving to Florida, claiming stronger ties to the state. Lauf countered by describing herself as a “blue state refugee,” emphasizing her choice to live in Florida.

The rivalry intensified with Lauf accusing Schwartzel of involvement in the dismissal of a popular local meteorologist. Schwartzel denied this, stating he did not have an ownership stake in the involved network, though he owns several media outlets.

Endorsement Reactions

Schwartzel expressed that Trump’s endorsement of Lauf angered his supporters. On the night of the endorsement, he reassured his supporters of his continued support for Trump, despite the setback.

“The president endorsed my opponent tonight. You’re hearing it from me before you hear it anywhere else,” Schwartzel stated. “But let’s be precise about where that anger belongs. Not with President Trump.”

He attributed the situation to out-of-state super PACs and Washington consultants contributing to Lauf’s campaign. According to him, they packaged her as the choice despite her previous Illinois runs.