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Madison Cawthorn

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Madison Cawthorn
Image of Madison Cawthorn

Candidate, U.S. House Florida District 19

Prior offices
U.S. House North Carolina District 11
Successor: Chuck Edwards
Predecessor: Mark Meadows

Elections and appointments
Next election

November 3, 2026

Personal
Birthplace
Asheville, N.C.
Religion
Christian
Profession
Business owner

Madison Cawthorn (Republican Party) is running for election to the U.S. House to represent Florida's 19th Congressional District. He declared candidacy for the 2026 election.[source]

Cawthorn (Republican Party) was a member of the U.S. House, representing North Carolina's 11th Congressional District. He assumed office on January 3, 2021. He left office on January 3, 2023.

Biography

Cawthorn attended Patrick Henry College. His professional experience includes owning and operating SPQR LLC, an investment firm, and working as a staff assistant for then-U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows' (R) district office.[1]

Committee assignments

U.S. House

2021-2022

Cawthorn was assigned to the following committees:[Source]


Key votes

See also: Key votes

Ballotpedia monitors legislation that receives a vote and highlights the ones that we consider to be key to understanding where elected officials stand on the issues. To read more about how we identify key votes, click here.

Key votes: 117th Congress, 2021-2023

The 117th United States Congress began on January 3, 2021 and ended on January 3, 2023. At the start of the session, Democrats held the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives (222-213), and the U.S. Senate had a 50-50 makeup. Democrats assumed control of the Senate on January 20, 2021, when President Joe Biden (D) and Vice President Kamala Harris (D), who acted as a tie-breaking vote in the chamber, assumed office. We identified the key votes below using Congress' top-viewed bills list and through marquee coverage of certain votes on Ballotpedia.

Key votes: 117th Congress, 2021-2023
Vote Bill and description Status
Red x.svg Nay Yes check.svg Passed (228-206)
Red x.svg Nay Yes check.svg Passed (220-210)
Red x.svg Nay Yes check.svg Passed (220-207)
Red x.svg Nay Yes check.svg Passed (220-204)
Red x.svg Nay Yes check.svg Passed (220-210)
Red x.svg Nay Yes check.svg Passed (217-213)
Yes check.svg Yea Yes check.svg Passed (363-70)
Red x.svg Nay Yes check.svg Passed (350-80)
Red x.svg Nay Yes check.svg Passed (228-197)
Yes check.svg Yea Yes check.svg Passed (342-88)
Red x.svg Nay Yes check.svg Passed (243-187)
Red x.svg Nay Yes check.svg Passed (218-211)
Yes check.svg Yea Yes check.svg Passed (321-101)
Red x.svg Nay Yes check.svg Passed (260-171)
Red x.svg Nay Yes check.svg Passed (224-206)
Red x.svg Nay Yes check.svg Passed (258-169)
Red x.svg Nay Yes check.svg Passed (230-201)
Red x.svg Nay Yes check.svg Passed (217-207)
Red x.svg Nay Yes check.svg Passed (227-203)
Red x.svg Nay Yes check.svg Passed (220-203)
Red x.svg Nay Yes check.svg Passed (234-193)
Red x.svg Nay Yes check.svg Passed (232-197)
Red x.svg Nay Yes check.svg Passed (225-201)


Elections

2026

See also: Florida's 19th Congressional District election, 2026

Note: At this time, Ballotpedia is combining all declared candidates for this election into one list under a general election heading. As primary election dates are published, this information will be updated to separate general election candidates from primary candidates as appropriate.

General election

The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.

General election for U.S. House Florida District 19

The following candidates are running in the general election for U.S. House Florida District 19 on November 3, 2026.


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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Endorsements

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2022

See also: North Carolina's 11th Congressional District election, 2022

North Carolina's 11th Congressional District election, 2022 (May 17 Republican primary)

North Carolina's 11th Congressional District election, 2022 (May 17 Democratic primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House North Carolina District 11

Chuck Edwards defeated Jasmine Beach-Ferrara and David Coatney in the general election for U.S. House North Carolina District 11 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Chuck Edwards
Chuck Edwards (R)
 
53.8
 
174,232
Image of Jasmine Beach-Ferrara
Jasmine Beach-Ferrara (D)
 
44.5
 
144,165
Image of David Coatney
David Coatney (L)
 
1.7
 
5,515

Total votes: 323,912
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House North Carolina District 11

The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for U.S. House North Carolina District 11 on May 17, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Jasmine Beach-Ferrara
Jasmine Beach-Ferrara
 
59.7
 
32,478
Image of Katie Dean
Katie Dean Candidate Connection
 
25.6
 
13,957
Image of Jay Carey
Jay Carey Candidate Connection
 
7.1
 
3,858
Image of Bo Hess
Bo Hess
 
3.8
 
2,082
Marco Gutierrez
 
1.9
 
1,040
Image of Bynum Lunsford
Bynum Lunsford
 
1.8
 
1,002

Total votes: 54,417
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House North Carolina District 11

The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for U.S. House North Carolina District 11 on May 17, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Chuck Edwards
Chuck Edwards
 
33.4
 
29,496
Image of Madison Cawthorn
Madison Cawthorn
 
31.9
 
28,112
Image of Matthew Burril
Matthew Burril
 
9.5
 
8,341
Image of Bruce O'Connell
Bruce O'Connell Candidate Connection
 
6.8
 
6,037
Image of Rod Honeycutt
Rod Honeycutt Candidate Connection
 
6.5
 
5,775
Image of Michele Woodhouse
Michele Woodhouse Candidate Connection
 
5.3
 
4,668
Image of Wendy Nevarez
Wendy Nevarez Candidate Connection
 
5.1
 
4,525
Image of Kristie Sluder
Kristie Sluder
 
1.5
 
1,304

Total votes: 88,258
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Libertarian primary election

The Libertarian primary election was canceled. David Coatney advanced from the Libertarian primary for U.S. House North Carolina District 11.

2020

See also: North Carolina's 11th Congressional District election, 2020

North Carolina's 11th Congressional District election, 2020 (March 3 Republican primary)

North Carolina's 11th Congressional District election, 2020 (March 3 Democratic primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House North Carolina District 11

Madison Cawthorn defeated Morris Davis, Tracey DeBruhl, and Tamara Zwinak in the general election for U.S. House North Carolina District 11 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Madison Cawthorn
Madison Cawthorn (R) Candidate Connection
 
54.5
 
245,351
Image of Morris Davis
Morris Davis (D) Candidate Connection
 
42.3
 
190,609
Image of Tracey DeBruhl
Tracey DeBruhl (L)
 
1.9
 
8,682
Image of Tamara Zwinak
Tamara Zwinak (G) Candidate Connection
 
1.2
 
5,503

Total votes: 450,145
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary runoff election

Republican primary runoff for U.S. House North Carolina District 11

Madison Cawthorn defeated Lynda Bennett in the Republican primary runoff for U.S. House North Carolina District 11 on June 23, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Madison Cawthorn
Madison Cawthorn Candidate Connection
 
65.8
 
30,636
Image of Lynda Bennett
Lynda Bennett Candidate Connection
 
34.2
 
15,905

Total votes: 46,541
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House North Carolina District 11

Morris Davis defeated Gina Collias, Phillip Price, Michael O'Shea, and Steve Woodsmall in the Democratic primary for U.S. House North Carolina District 11 on March 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Morris Davis
Morris Davis Candidate Connection
 
47.3
 
52,983
Image of Gina Collias
Gina Collias
 
22.7
 
25,387
Image of Phillip Price
Phillip Price
 
11.3
 
12,620
Image of Michael O'Shea
Michael O'Shea
 
11.2
 
12,523
Image of Steve Woodsmall
Steve Woodsmall Candidate Connection
 
7.5
 
8,439

Total votes: 111,952
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House North Carolina District 11

The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for U.S. House North Carolina District 11 on March 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Lynda Bennett
Lynda Bennett Candidate Connection
 
22.7
 
20,606
Image of Madison Cawthorn
Madison Cawthorn Candidate Connection
 
20.4
 
18,481
Image of Jim Davis
Jim Davis
 
19.3
 
17,465
Image of Chuck Archerd
Chuck Archerd Candidate Connection
 
9.1
 
8,272
Image of Wayne King
Wayne King
 
8.7
 
7,876
Image of Daniel Driscoll
Daniel Driscoll
 
8.6
 
7,803
Image of Joseph Osborne
Joseph Osborne Candidate Connection
 
7.1
 
6,470
Image of Vance Patterson
Vance Patterson Candidate Connection
 
2.5
 
2,242
Image of Matthew Burril
Matthew Burril (Unofficially withdrew)
 
0.6
 
523
Image of Albert Wiley Jr.
Albert Wiley Jr.
 
0.4
 
393
Dillon Gentry
 
0.4
 
390
Image of Steven Fekete
Steven Fekete
 
0.2
 
175

Total votes: 90,696
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Green primary election

The Green primary election was canceled. Tamara Zwinak advanced from the Green primary for U.S. House North Carolina District 11.

Libertarian primary election

The Libertarian primary election was canceled. Tracey DeBruhl advanced from the Libertarian primary for U.S. House North Carolina District 11.

Campaign themes

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

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2022

Madison Cawthorn did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Candidate Connection

Madison Cawthorn completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Cawthorn's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Madison Cawthorn is an 8th generation resident of North Carolina's 11th district. His ancestors date back all the way to the Revolutionary war. Madison was nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy in 2014. Unfortunately, his plans were derailed after he nearly died in a tragic automobile accident that left him partially paralyzed and in a wheelchair. Madisons accident built his faith, made him a fighter, helped him appreciate everyday, and inspired him to help everyone he encounters overcome whatever adversity they face in their daily lives.

Today, Madison is the CEO of real estate investment company. He is also a motivational speaker and challenges people around the nation to have faith, work hard, play by the rules, and pursue the American dream.

A constitutional conservative, Madison is committed to defending the values of faith, family, and freedom.
  • Balanced budget amendment to the constitution
  • Term limits on members of congress
  • Combating the rise of socialism in America
Supporting our American values of faith, family, and freedom and combating the rise of socialist sentiment in our culture.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign website

Cawthorn's campaign website stated the following:

WHY I’M RUNNING

I’m running because our faith, our freedoms and our values are under assault from coastal elites and leftists like Nancy Pelosi and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

I am running because America is worth fighting for. I’m a fighter. I’ve overcome great adversity. I will be a strong voice for faith, family & freedom.

HEALTH CARE

I believe patients and doctors, certainly not government bureaucrats, should be in charge of health care decisions.

I’m for expanding choice and competition in our health care system.

I strongly oppose the Democrats’ plans to create socialized medicine.

IMMIGRATION

We lawfully admit over a million immigrants each year, which far exceeds other countries. But, our immigration system is in crisis. We need to secure our borders and we need the rule of law. I oppose the continued allowance of sanctuary cities.

TAXES

I oppose tax increases. We don’t need more taxes. Government takes enough of our hard-earned money. Each of our families live within their means, and we must demand the same of our government.

LIFE

I am pro-life. Each of us have an inalienable, God given right to life. The first responsibility of the government is to protect its citizens, including those who are pre-born.

DEBT

Our debt is unsustainable. Congress has run up the debt to the tune of $23 trillion and it is adding $1 trillion to our debt each year. That equates to $66,000 for every man, woman, and child.

REFORMING CONGRESS

Mark Meadows did not run to be a politician, he ran to reform congress. I am running to continue his great work. We need a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution and we need term limits for Members of Congress.

2ND AMENDMENT

As an owner of several firearms, I support our Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms.

NATIONAL SECURITY

The world is a dangerous place. President Reagan rightfully showed the world that America is safe when America’s defense is strong. Defending our national security is not optional.

VETERANS

America must keep the promises we have made to its veterans. They are our heroes and as such deserve our thanks and the best health care available.[25]

—Madison Cawthorn's campaign website (2020)[26]


Campaign finance summary


Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.


Madison Cawthorn campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2022U.S. House North Carolina District 11Lost primary$0 N/A**
2020U.S. House North Carolina District 11Won general$4,718,102 $4,612,371
Grand total$4,718,102 $4,612,371
Sources: OpenSecretsFederal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

Noteworthy events

Failure to appear in court, September 2025

On September 10, 2025, Cawthorn was arrested after failing to appear in court for an arraignment hearing. The hearing regarded a traffic citation Cawthorn received on August 19, 2025, for driving without a valid driver's license. This followed an earlier citation Cawthorn received in April 2024 for failing to yield to a stopped vehicle, resulting in a wreck and minor injuries.[27]

Misdemeanor charge, April 2022

On April 26, 2022, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents found a loaded handgun in Cawthorn's bag at a checkpoint at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Cawthorn was cited for possession of a dangerous weapon on city property. He is set to appear in court on October 18, 2022.[28]

Misdemeanor charges, March 2022

On March 3, 2022, Cawthorn was stopped by North Carolina police officer Tyler Gantt after Gantt observed Cawthorn's vehicle cross the centerline. Gannt determined that Cawthorn's license "was in a state of revoke" and charged Cawthorn with driving with a revoked license. Cawthorn was scheduled to appear in court on June 2, 2022, but his case was continued.[29]

Electoral vote certification on January 6-7, 2021

See also: Counting of electoral votes (January 6-7, 2021)

Congress convened a joint session on January 6-7, 2021, to count electoral votes by state and confirm the results of the 2020 presidential election. Cawthorn voted against certifying the electoral votes from Arizona and Pennsylvania. The House rejected both objections by a vote of 121-303 for Arizona and 138-282 for Pennsylvania.

See also


External links

Footnotes

  1. Asheville Citizen Times, "Madison Cawthorn's claim about Naval Academy creates false impression," August 14, 2020
  2. Congress.gov, "H.R.3684 - Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act," accessed April 15, 2022
  3. Congress.gov, "H.R.1319 - American Rescue Plan Act of 2021," accessed April 15, 2022
  4. Congress.gov, "H.R.5376 - Inflation Reduction Act of 2022," accessed January 20, 2023
  5. Congress.gov, "H.R.3617 - Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act," accessed January 20, 2023
  6. Congress.gov, "H.R.1 - For the People Act of 2021," accessed April 15, 2022
  7. Congress.gov, "H.R.1808 - Assault Weapons Ban of 2022," accessed January 20, 2023
  8. Congress.gov, "S.1605 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022," accessed April 15, 2022
  9. Congress.gov, "H.R.7776 - James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023," accessed January 20, 2023
  10. Congress.gov, "H.R.6 - American Dream and Promise Act of 2021," accessed April 15, 2022
  11. Congress.gov, "S.3373 - Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022," accessed January 20, 2023
  12. Congress.gov, "H.R.4346 - Chips and Science Act," accessed January 20, 2023
  13. Congress.gov, "H.R.3755 - Women's Health Protection Act of 2021," accessed April 15, 2022
  14. Congress.gov, "H.R.1996 - SAFE Banking Act of 2021," accessed April 15, 2022
  15. Congress.gov, "H.R.2471 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022," accessed January 20, 2023
  16. Congress.gov, "H.R.5 - Equality Act," accessed April 15, 2022
  17. Congress.gov, "H.R.8404 - Respect for Marriage Act," accessed January 20, 2023
  18. Congress.gov, "H.R.6833 - Continuing Appropriations and Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023," accessed January 20, 2023
  19. Congress.gov, "H.R.7688 - Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act," accessed January 20, 2023
  20. Congress.gov, "H.R.8 - Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021," accessed January 20, 2023
  21. Congress.gov, "H.R.5746 - Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act," accessed January 20, 2023
  22. Congress.gov, "S.2938 - Bipartisan Safer Communities Act," accessed January 20, 2023
  23. Congress.gov, "H.Res.24 - Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors.," accessed April 15, 2022
  24. Congress.gov, "H.R.2617 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023," accessed January 20, 2023
  25. Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  26. Madison Cawthorn's 2020 campaign website, "Key Issues," accessed March 13, 2020
  27. Naples Daily News, “Ex-Congressman Madison Cawthorn arrested for Collier County court no-show" accessed October 8, 2025
  28. Citizen Times, "Madison Cawthorn court date set for misdemeanor of bringing loaded gun to Charlotte airport," accessed May 9, 2022
  29. ABC 13 News, "Cawthorn's speeding ticket hearing continued a second time in Polk County," accessed June 3, 2022

Political offices
Preceded by
Mark Meadows (R)
U.S. House North Carolina District 11
2021-2023
Succeeded by
Chuck Edwards (R)


Senators
Representatives
District 1
District 2
Neal Dunn (R)
District 3
District 4
District 5
District 6
District 7
District 8
District 9
District 10
District 11
District 12
District 13
Anna Luna (R)
District 14
District 15
District 16
District 17
District 18
District 19
District 20
District 21
District 22
District 23
District 24
District 25
District 26
District 27
District 28
Republican Party (22)
Democratic Party (8)