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19th Congressional District · 2026 U.S. House · Unofficial result

U.S. House, 19th District: what did each candidate actually say they'd do?

IN PLAIN ENGLISH

Jim Schwartzel (R) faced Victor Arias (D) and Seth Haskin (No Party Affiliation). With all 67 counties reporting, Schwartzel leads by 76,317 votes. Results are unofficial until certified. Check your own address on the Florida Division of Elections voter lookup to confirm your district.

Schwartzel leadsAll counties reporting; unofficial until certified1
61.13%Schwartzel (R)1
37.64%Arias (D)1
1.23%Haskin (No Party Affiliation)1
76,317Vote margin of 325,015 cast1

Do they have a plan?

We read every issue on each candidate's own website and checked the same six things for every one. We count what's there. We don't grade whether the ideas are good. Read the full scoring rules

Of the issues on their website, how many...Victor AriasSeth HaskinJim Schwartzel
Names a policy0 of 5
5 of 6
8 of 12
Says how they'd do it0 of 5
1 of 6
0 of 12
Includes a number or target0 of 5
1 of 6
1 of 12
Says how it's paid for0 of 5
0 of 6
0 of 12
Gives a timeline0 of 5
0 of 6
0 of 12
Points to a record0 of 5
0 of 6
0 of 12

The candidates, side by side

Each topic shows every candidate's own words on it, in alphabetical order, from their own website. "Nothing on this topic" means their site doesn't cover it. Topic rows are grouped by us from their headings; the scores don't change.

Victor AriasDemocrat
Seth HaskinNo Party Affiliation
Jim SchwartzelRepublican
Who they are
Victor Arias
attorney, owner of Arias Law Firm
Seth Haskin
26-year-old with a neuroscience degree
Jim Schwartzel
president of Sun Broadcasting, a Southwest Florida radio company
Immigration and the border
Victor Arias
Nothing on this topic
Seth Haskin
Nothing on this topic
Jim Schwartzel
Border Security"I'll stand with President Trump to secure our border, enforce our immigration laws and deport those who are here illegally."2
Names a policy
Veterans
Victor Arias
Veterans and earned benefits"The Yielding pillar presents Victor Arias's published focus on cutting unnecessary Veterans Affairs red tape for veterans."8
None of the six checks
Seth Haskin
Nothing on this topic
Jim Schwartzel
Veterans"Our veterans shouldn't have to drive across the state for care. I'll work to turn our local VA clinic into a full VA hospital."2
Names a policy
Health care
Victor Arias
Healthcare affordability and access"The Transforming pillar presents Victor Arias's published focus on affordable health-care access and protecting Medicare and Social Security for seniors."7
None of the six checks
Seth Haskin
Nothing on this topic
Jim Schwartzel
Lake Okeechobee"The Caloosahatchee needs enough fresh water to keep the estuary healthy. I support moving more water south and getting the flows right."2
None of the six checks
Housing
Victor Arias
Nothing on this topic
Seth Haskin
Nothing on this topic
Jim Schwartzel
Roads & Housing"A new route connecting Immokalee and Lehigh Acres opens up affordable housing and gets working families to their jobs."2
Names a policy
Child care and families
Victor Arias
Nothing on this topic
Seth Haskin
Nothing on this topic
Jim Schwartzel
Power Grid"After every hurricane, families wait too long to get the lights back on. I'll push to harden our grid so Southwest Florida recovers faster."2
None of the six checks
Energy and environment
Victor Arias
Clean water and the regional economy"The Improving pillar presents Victor Arias's published focus on protecting the environment and clean water."6
None of the six checks
Seth Haskin
Nothing on this topic
Jim Schwartzel
Clean Water"Converting septic systems to sewer cuts the nutrients that feed algae blooms and red tide along our coast."2
Names a policy
Everglades"I'll fight to fund and finish Everglades restoration so more clean water moves south, where it belongs."2
Names a policy
Offshore Drilling"Our beaches, water and tourism economy are worth protecting. I'll work to extend the ban on oil drilling off Florida's coast."2
Names a policy
Technology and privacy
Victor Arias
Nothing on this topic
Seth Haskin
Defend the Fourth Amendment"I will work to repeal the remaining unconstitutional surveillance authorities associated with the Patriot Act, strengthen warrant requirements, protect Americans' digital information"10
Names a policy
Jim Schwartzel
Nothing on this topic
Roads, transit and infrastructure
Victor Arias
Infrastructure, resilience and recovery"The Negotiating pillar presents Victor Arias's published priorities to invest in infrastructure and education and expand economic opportunity."5
None of the six checks
Seth Haskin
Nothing on this topic
Jim Schwartzel
Nothing on this topic
Elections and voting
Victor Arias
Nothing on this topic
Seth Haskin
Restore the Voice of the States"I support repealing the 17th Amendment and restoring the selection of U.S. senators by state legislatures."10
Names a policy
Jim Schwartzel
Nothing on this topic
Budget, debt and spending
Victor Arias
Nothing on this topic
Seth Haskin
Restore the Value of Our Money"I will work to restore congressional responsibility over money, move toward a metal-backed dollar, restrain federal spending and borrowing, confront the national debt, and repeal the 16th Amendment."10
Names a policy
Jim Schwartzel
Budget"Every family and business in Southwest Florida lives within its means. Washington should too. I'll vote to cut waste and balance the budget."2
None of the six checks
Taxes, jobs and the economy
Victor Arias
Household affordability and local business"Victor Arias's published priorities connect economic opportunity and education with the everyday concerns of Southwest Florida families and local businesses." The page lists two items: "Expand economic opportunity." and "Invest in education."4
None of the six checks
Seth Haskin
Nothing on this topic
Jim Schwartzel
Cost of Living"Families here are paying too much for groceries, housing and insurance. I'll fight to bring those costs down."2
None of the six checks
Taxes"I'll vote to make President Trump's tax cuts permanent so Southwest Florida families and small businesses keep more of what they earn."2
Names a policy
Economy"I'll also work to privatize government functions, from expanding school choice to defunding the Department of Education and cutting the Postal Service in half."2
Names a policyIncludes a number or target
Defense and foreign policy
Victor Arias
Nothing on this topic
Seth Haskin
Bring American Power Home"demand clear congressional authorization before committing Americans to hostilities" and "reduce unnecessary overseas military commitments, oppose regime-change wars"10
Names a policy
Jim Schwartzel
Nothing on this topic
Rights and freedoms
Victor Arias
Nothing on this topic
Seth Haskin
Restore Constitutional Government"I will work to restore the nondelegation doctrine, reclaim legislative authority from administrative agencies, return Congress to its enumerated powers, and restore the constitutional balance between the federal government, states, and people."10
None of the six checks
Jim Schwartzel
Nothing on this topic
How government works
Victor Arias
Nothing on this topic
Seth Haskin
Increase the Size of the House of RepresentativesHe would expand the House by 100 to 200 members and pursue "a constitutional amendment requiring Congress to reconsider representation after every census."10
Names a policySays how they'd do itIncludes a number or target
Jim Schwartzel
Nothing on this topic
Their record
Victor Arias
  • Owner and managing attorney of Arias Law Firm since 2002. Former staff attorney for the Lee County and St. Lucie County school districts.9 Neither is a vote, law or program on one of his listed issues.
Seth Haskin
  • No elected office, bill, vote or program on any issue. His About page lists a neuroscience degree and years of independent study of the Constitution.11
Jim Schwartzel
  • President of Sun Broadcasting, Inc. In 1996 he worked in Sen. Connie Mack's Washington office answering constituent mail and building databases.2 Neither is a vote, law or program on one of his listed issues.
In their words
Victor Arias

"His published campaign priorities include cutting VA red tape for veterans; protecting Medicare and Social Security for seniors; expanding economic opportunity; investing in infrastructure and education; protecting the environment and clean water; and improving access to affordable health care."

Victor Arias campaign, Issues FAQ3

"The pages do not add funding amounts, votes, timelines, or detailed commitments that the campaign has not published."

Victor Arias campaign, Issues FAQ3
Seth Haskin

"The House should represent the people. The Senate should represent the states."

Seth Haskin campaign, Policy10

"I will judge legislation by a fundamental question: Does the Constitution authorize Congress to do this?"

Seth Haskin campaign, Policy10
Jim Schwartzel

"I'll be a workhorse in Washington. I'll show up and get the job done."

Jim Schwartzel campaign, Home2

"I've lived in Southwest Florida my whole life."

Jim Schwartzel campaign, Home2
Where we read it
Victor Arias
Website: ariasforcongress.us/issues/ (checked 11/5/2026)
Seth Haskin
Website: sethhaskinforfl.com/policy (checked 11/5/2026)
Jim Schwartzel
Website: jimforcongress.com (checked 11/5/2026)

The middle

Where they agree

  • Schwartzel and Haskin both want less federal spending. Schwartzel: "I'll vote to cut waste and balance the budget."2 Haskin: "restrain federal spending and borrowing."10
  • Schwartzel and Arias both put veterans on their lists. Schwartzel: "turn our local VA clinic into a full VA hospital."2 Arias: "Cut VA red tape for veterans."8
  • Schwartzel and Arias both name Southwest Florida water. Schwartzel: "fund and finish Everglades restoration."2 Arias: "Protect the environment and clean water."6

Where they really split

  • Education: Schwartzel would work toward "defunding the Department of Education."2 Arias lists "Invest in education."4
  • Income tax: Schwartzel would "make President Trump's tax cuts permanent."2 Haskin would "repeal the 16th Amendment" and end the federal income tax.10

What each one leaves out

  • Schwartzel's Home page names a policy on 8 of its twelve headings and gives details on none: no numbers beyond "in half," no costs, no dates. It names no vote or action of his own on any of them.2
  • Arias's five issue pages each repeat one or two goal lines. None names a bill, program, number, cost or date, and the site says it adds none.3
  • Haskin's page names a policy on 5 of six sections and gives details on one (House size, with a 100 to 200 member number). It gives no costs or dates and no record of past action.10
Sources (checked 11/5/2026)
  1. Florida Division of Elections, Florida Election Watch, unofficial (all 67 counties at 100% of precincts reporting): floridaelectionwatch.gov/FederalOffices/USRepresentative
  2. Jim Schwartzel campaign, Home (priorities section): jimforcongress.com
  3. Victor Arias campaign, Issues: ariasforcongress.us/issues/
  4. Victor Arias campaign, Household affordability and local business: ariasforcongress.us/issues/unifying/
  5. Victor Arias campaign, Infrastructure, resilience and recovery: ariasforcongress.us/issues/negotiating/
  6. Victor Arias campaign, Clean water and the regional economy: ariasforcongress.us/issues/improving/
  7. Victor Arias campaign, Healthcare affordability and access: ariasforcongress.us/issues/transforming/
  8. Victor Arias campaign, Veterans and earned benefits: ariasforcongress.us/issues/yielding/
  9. Victor Arias campaign, About: ariasforcongress.us/about/
  10. Seth Haskin campaign, Policy: sethhaskinforfl.com/policy
  11. Seth Haskin campaign, About: sethhaskinforfl.com/about-seth-haskin