Florida 19th District
Byron Donalds (R) gave up the seat to run for governor. 3 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.DiscussVictor Arias
Democrat · Cape Coral attorney and credit union board member
No gradeNo grade yetI have no votes in Congress to count for Arias, and what Arias has said and done settles only 3 of my principles. I went through it on October 30. A grade needs 4.
Raised $69,983 since January 2025: 55% the candidate’s own money, 45% from people. The filing at FEC.gov
Jim Schwartzel
Republican · radio and magazine company owner
ALiberty Score A100 out of 100 across 6 principles. Graded on what Schwartzel has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Schwartzel.
Raised $2,828,903 since January 2025: 52% the candidate’s own money, 43% from people, 5% from PACs and other committees. The filing at FEC.gov
Voting in Florida: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.
Side by side
A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.
Victor Arias, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Arias, so the grade above comes from this list: what Arias has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
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Listed Iran among adversaries to counter in a newspaper questionnaire, without naming sanctions, a deal or military action.
“countering adversaries like Russia and Iran”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
No policy toward the regime in Tehran is named, so the words do not settle a side.
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Answered a newspaper questionnaire saying US policy should support Ukraine and counter Russia and Iran.
“supporting Ukraine and countering adversaries like Russia and Iran”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing Ukraine against Putin is with liberty on free nations.
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Said he supports strict social media regulation to protect young people, without saying what speech would be removed.
“I advocate for strict social media regulations to protect youth”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
The words do not say whether lawful speech would be removed, so they do not settle a side.
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Said Congress must cap prescription drug prices.
“we must cap prescription drug prices”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
A legal cap on prices is against liberty on free markets (no price controls).
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Said he would pursue lifting the federal cap on the state and local tax (SALT) deduction.
“Initiate policies to lift the cap on (SALT) deductions.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Lowering a named tax (a bigger SALT deduction) is with liberty on free markets.
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Said the border patrol must be fully funded.
“We must fully fund border patrol”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Funding border enforcement is with liberty on borders.
Jim Schwartzel, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Schwartzel, so the grade above comes from this list: what Schwartzel has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
-
Said the Islamic Republic can never have a nuclear weapon, without naming sanctions, a deal or military action.
“Iran can never have a nuclear weapon”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
No policy toward the regime is named, so the words do not settle a side.
-
Answered a newspaper questionnaire saying he will stand with Israel.
“I'll stand with Israel.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Treating Israel as an ally is with liberty on free nations.
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Said Russia's war should end but that US money should not flow without accountability or an endgame.
“American money shouldn't flow forever without accountability or an endgame.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Conditions on Ukraine aid are named without saying whether aid would continue, so the words do not settle a side.
-
Said that on AI and social media there should be no censorship of political speech.
“no censorship of political speech”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing censorship follows the with side of free_speech.
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Said Congress should make the Trump tax cuts permanent and cut regulations that make building expensive.
“Cut spending, make the tax cuts permanent and stop the regulations that make it expensive to build.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Keeping named tax cuts and cutting regulation follow with liberty on free markets.
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His campaign site pledges to push to cut regulations on local businesses.
“I'll push to cut regulations so local businesses can grow and invest here.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Cutting regulation is with liberty on free markets.
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Said he would protect girls' sports.
“protecting girls' sports”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Keeping women's and girls' sport female is with liberty on equal rights.
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Described himself as a Trump conservative who favours a strong defence.
“limited government, low taxes, strong defense”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing a strong defence is with liberty on defense.
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Said he would secure the border, finish the wall and deport people who broke the law to get in, with no amnesty.
“Secure the border, finish the wall and deport people who broke the law getting here. No amnesty.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Border barrier, deportation and no amnesty follow with liberty on borders.
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His campaign site pledges to secure the border and deport those who are here illegally.
“I'll stand with President Trump to secure our border, enforce our immigration laws and deport those who are here illegally.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Enforcement and deportation follow with liberty on borders.
Also on the ballot
Seth Haskin (Independent).
Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.
Who should win this race, and why?
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Discussion
Florida 19th District
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