Schwartzel and Arias Vie for District 19 Seat

Voters in Southwest Florida choose a new representative for the 19th Congressional District today. Republican Jim Schwartzel and Democrat Victor Arias compete for the open seat previously held by Byron Donalds.

Victor Arias is running for the District 19 seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2026 election.

Republican Jim Schwartzel and Democrat Victor Arias face off for the Florida District 19 congressional seat in Tuesday's general election. The open seat in United States southwest coastal counties follows Byron Donalds' departure to run for governor. Republicans defend a narrow majority in the U.S. House during this high-stakes midterm cycle.