Anna Paulina Luna backs Catalina Lauf in open CD 19 race

U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna wants to see another millennial woman from the MAGA movement in Florida’s congressional delegation. The Pinellas Republican is endorsing Catalina Lauf for an open seat in Southwest Florida.

“Congress is a swamp,” Luna posted, “and we need more people willing to buck the status quo.”

“Catalina Lauf is a friend and a fierce America First fighter. She’s a proven Trump ally who will stand up for Southwest Florida and never back down from a fight. I’m proud to endorse her, Southwest Florida vote Catalina Lauf in!”

Lauf filed in October to succeed U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds in Florida’s 19th Congressional District. Donalds is running for Governor instead of seeking re-election.

Lauf is part of a wide field of candidates running for the seat. The Bonita Springs Republican raised about $444,000 last year for her run.

She served as a special adviser to the U.S. Department of Commerce from December 2018 to July 2019. That’s around when she founded the Defense of Freedom PAC, where she still serves as Executive Director.

Lauf notably ran for Congress in 2020 in Illinois’ 14th Congressional District, but lost in a Republican Primary to Jim Oberweis. As it happens, she faces Oberweis again this year, as he was the first Republican to file in CD 19 after Donalds announced he was running for Governor instead of seeking re-election.

The 33-year-old Lauf would be among the youngest members of Congress if elected.

Luna, who first won election in 2022, is 35. During two terms in Congress, she has been a close ally of President Donald Trump while frequently defying House leadership.

Lauf this year has picked up endorsements from multiple sitting members of Congress. U.S. Rep. Burgess Owens, a Utah Republican, endorsed her earlier this month. In January, U.S. Sen. Jim Banks, an Indiana Republican, also endorsed her.