Political Newcomer Curt Clawson has won the GOP primary in a special election for Florida’s 19th Congressional District Tuesday night.
Amid a crowd of more than a hundred supporters at the Hyatt Coconut Point, Curt Clawson accepted the Republican nomination.
“In early January I wasn’t sure if that i wanted to do this. Most of all, I love it here in Southwest Florida. And I love being with my parents. And its why I came here. And I am here for the duration you all. And when this is over, I will be back here to be with them and to be with you.”
Clawson defeated state Senator LizbethBenacquisto of Fort Myers, former state lawmaker Paige Kreegel of Punta Gorda and fellow political newcomer Michael Dreikorn of Bookelia.
Clawson won with a double digit lead in the race. This election is a surprising victory for Clawson, who before Superbowl Sunday was completely unknown in Southwest Florida.
He said his business record-- not his political inexperience--will inform his work in Congress, if elected during the general election in June.
“I just felt like it was a good time for somebody from the private sector, who has made hard choices, and you all I have made a heartbreaking choice or two in my life as CEO," he said. "I felt it was a good time for somebody with that background to go to Washington and lead the way for folks to make hard choices.”
Clawson is a retired CEO who spent millions of dollars from his own wealth on a slew of pricey political ads during this heated race.
Clawson will now face off against Democratic Candidate April Freeman.
Tuesday night's results means Benacquisto’s run in the 19th congressional district's special election has come to an end. Shortly before 8 p.m. that night, she conceded to Clawson.
Supporters chanted her name as Benacquisto made her way into the main room of the Edison to concede in the Republican primary for the District 19 Congressional seat.
Her run comes to a close after a combative race where attack ads and accusations made many of the headlines. In her concession, Benacquisto mentioned her how campaign was outspent.
She had about 26 percent of the votes. Clawson won with 38 percent.
While holding her husband’s hand, Benacquisto said she hoped to work with Clawson in the future.
“I’ve called Curt, I wished him well," she said. "I told him we will be good partners moving forward if he’s successful in June, which I know he will be. So we’re going to be a very strong team for southwest Florida.”
The venue emptied 15 minutes later after Benacquisto made the rounds hugging a few supporters before leaving the room.
By the numbers:
In Collier County:
- Curt Clawson had 46 percent of the vote, Paige Kreegal was second with 32 percent, Lizbeth Benacquisto had 15 percent, and Michael Dreikorn garnered 6 percent of the votes.
In Lee County:
- Curt Clawson won nearly 35 percent, Benacquisto was second with 30 percent, Kreegal had 22 percent and Dreikorn had 12 percent.
