Former Rep. Madison Cawthorn launches congressional comeback attempt in new state

Former Republican Rep. Madison Cawthorn, who represented a North Carolina district for two years, is launching a congressional comeback bid in Florida a few years after he lost a primary amid a swirl of politically damaging headlines.

Former Republican Rep. Madison Cawthorn, who represented a North Carolina district for two years, is launching a congressional comeback bid in Florida a few years after he lost a primary amid a swirl of politically damaging headlines.

Cawthorn, 30, announced his decision in an interview with Fox News, pointing to the recent assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk as a tipping point that convinced him to seek public office again.

"After Charlie Kirk’s assassination, I knew that there was really no option. I’ve decided to run for Congress again," he told the outlet in an article reposted by his official X account.

In the interview, Cawthorn added that he had been "railroaded out of Washington, D.C., by the radical left" as well as Republicans.

From the archives: Madison Cawthorn loses North Carolina primary after numerous scandals01:00While Cawthorn has not released any public announcement or campaign launch video as of Thursday morning, paperwork filed with the Federal Election Campaign shows he filed to run for the seat being vacated by GOP Rep. Byron Donalds, a deeply Republican district in southwestern Florida that President Donald Trump carried by almost 30 points in 2024.