Jim Schwartzel wants highway bypass, VA hospital after District 19 win
Republican Jim Schwartzel , a media executive and Southwest Florida native, won Florida’s 19th Congressional District in the general election Tuesday, Nov. 3, keeping the Southwest Florida seat in Republican hands as he prepares to succeed outgoing Byron Donalds in Washington. The district covers most of Lee County and coastal areas of Collier County and has long served as a Republican stronghold. Schwartzel, 46, president of Fort Myers-based Sun Broadcasting, defeated Democratic nominee Victor Arias , independent Seth Haskin and write-in candidate Alexandra Zakhvatayev. Fireworks erupted at his election night watch party in Fort Myers as Schwartzel celebrated the outcome with family, supporters and campaign staff. Here’s what Schwartzel told the News-Press on election night after his victory: How did Schwartzel react to his victory on election night? Question: What does tomorrow look like for you after your election win? Answer: "I don't know if I'm going to get much sleep tonight. I have so much energy in me and adrenaline. But, you know, I just want to get to work for Southwest Florida. Everything I own, all my family, everyone's here, so I only have Southwest Florida as my best interest, so I'm ready to go to work." During