Former Rep. Madison Cawthorn plots return to Congress

• Johnson is already navigating razor-thin margins and an unruly right-flank. A wild-card like Cawthorn, who has a history of turning on his own party leadership, could compound those challenges.
• The seat will be open with Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) running for governor.

Driving the news: Cawthorn was meeting with Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill on Wednesday to discuss his bid for the seat, a source familiar told Axios.

• Cawthorn did not meet with Johnson during his Hill swing.

Catch up quick: Cawthorn represented North Carolina's 11th district from 2021–2023 before losing his seat after a scandal-plagued first term.

• He alleged, without evidence, that his GOP colleagues used cocaine and invited him to orgies. The accusation angered a wide swath of his colleagues, but Cawthorn later admitted to House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy that his claims were "exaggerated."
• Cawthorn twice attempted to carry a gun through airport security.

• Despite former President Trump's backing, Cawthorn lost his 2022 primary to Rep. Chuck Edwards (NC).

State of play: Florida's 19th is expected to draw a crowded GOP primary.

• Five Republicans have already filed paperwork to run, and more are expected to jump in.
• National Republicans aren't worried about losing the seat — Donalds won reelection in 2024 by more than 30 points.

What they're saying: Donalds told Axios that Cawthorn approached him about his bid, but he didn't commit to backing him yet.

• "He was 25 years old when he came to Congress. Everybody has an opportunity to grow and mature." Donalds said.