Carmine Marceno passes on running for Byron Donalds’ seat in Congress

Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno won’t run for U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds’ seat in Congress.

The Republican said he carefully considered a run over recent months, mostly because of his support of President Donald Trump.

“President Trump has inspired a new awakening of patriotism to which many of us have been called to double our efforts to make America great again. In that spirit, I took a hard look at serving our community, state, and nation as a Unites States Congressman. Fighting on the national level alongside our President would be a dream come true,” Marceno said.

“However, after careful consideration on how I can best serve my community — a community I love and cherish — I have decided I can best serve by putting criminals behind bars and protecting our most vulnerable as YOUR Sheriff.”

Marceno has been rumored as a candidate, and appeared to be in strong standing after the Justice Department last year ended an investigation of him. The investigation has started under Democratic President Joe Biden.

But he has maintained crime rates remain low under his watch.

“This was not a decision I took lightly, as I love the residents of Lee County. Today, we are safer than we have ever been and I will continue to make our community, state, and nation proud as a tried and true, law and order sheriff,” he said.

Marceno was first appointed to his position by then-Gov. Rick Scott, succeeding former Sheriff Mike Lee following his early retirement. In 2020, he won a full term as Sheriff after a contentious Republican Primary, and then won another term in 2024.

He since appeared frequently with Gov. Ron DeSantis, particularly in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in 2022. Like many sheriffs, his endorsement has been a valuable commodity in the region.

Donalds is running for Governor instead of seeking re-election.