Former North Carolina Republican Congressman Madison Cawthorn has launched a bid to return to Congress, announcing his candidacy for Florida’s 19th congressional district seat vacated by Rep. Byron Donalds, who is seeking the governorship.

Cawthorn, who represented North Carolina’s 11th district from 2021-2023, cited a desire to “crush the woke Left” and address Florida’s insurance crisis in his campaign debut. He claimed he would stand with President Trump while advocating for stricter immigration enforcement.

The candidate’s announcement comes after a tumultuous tenure marked by multiple scandals, including allegations of sexual misconduct, insider trading, and bringing a handgun to an airport. Cawthorn also faced legal issues, including a recent arrest for failing to appear in court for a traffic citation, which he attributed to a “mixup about court timings.”

Cawthorn accused Democratic and Republican opponents of conspiring against him during his time in office, alleging that “the radical left and members of [his] own party” orchestrated his defeat. He claimed these actions were part of a broader effort to silence truthful criticism of Washington, D.C., which he described as a “swamp.”

Conservative activist Robby Starbuck publicly endorsed Cawthorn, vowing to support his campaign financially. However, the former congressman’s record remains contentious, with ongoing legal and ethical questions surrounding his conduct.