Michael Carbonara picks up endorsement from Audrey Fesik

Republican Michael Carbonara picked up his first official endorsement as he challenges U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

Pompano Beach City Commissioner Audrey Fesik announced her support for the tech entrepreneur.

“In local government, you learn how intense the pressure gets around land-use decisions and our coastline,” Fesik said. “I’m endorsing Michael Carbonara because he’ll fight for transparency, public access and responsible stewardship — putting residents and our coast ahead of special interest influence.”

Carbonara launched his campaign in September in Florida’s 25th Congressional District. He has since reported $1.7 million raised for the campaign through the end of 2025. By comparison, Wasserman Schultz raised almost $1.8 million over the course of the year.

He welcomed the support of Fesik as he runs against the longest-serving Democrat in Florida’s congressional delegation.

“Commissioner Fesik has been a relentless advocate for transparency and for protecting the coastal and community assets that make South Florida home,” Carbonara said.

“I’m honored to earn her endorsement. When public land, coastal access and protected spaces are put at risk, people deserve a Representative who will fight back. In Congress, I will stand up to special interests, demand accountability and put South Florida families — not insiders — first.”

First elected to the City Commission in 2024, Fesik’s official city bio stresses her “principled leadership, fiscal responsibility and unwavering commitment to the residents of Pompano Beach.”

Like Carbonara, she stressed her professional background as she ran for office, including over 25 years in marketing, communications and business development.

Carbonara, a Cooper City Republican, has launched several companies, including a payments industry business in 2011, a fintech firm, Ibanara, in 2020, and a genetic mapping firm, Gattaca Genomics, in 2024. He said that a business background will give him a deeper understanding of the modern business world than most members of Congress.