Former Republican Congressman Madison Cawthorn was arrested in Florida amid efforts to revive his political career. The ex-lawmaker, who represented North Carolina’s 11th congressional district from 2021 to 2023, faced charges for failing to appear in court over a traffic citation. According to reports, Cawthorn received a ticket for driving without a valid license. His representatives stated the absence was due to a scheduling conflict, claiming he “did not appear in court this morning” despite a busy itinerary. Cawthorn was booked and released on a $2,000 bond. The arrest occurred less than 24 hours after he met with Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill to discuss launching a congressional campaign in Florida’s 19th District. The seat, vacated by Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) who is running for Florida governor, has drawn attention as a potential battleground. Cawthorn’s team framed the arrest as a clerical error, dismissing it as unrelated to broader issues. Earlier in 2024, he was involved in a collision with a Florida State Trooper vehicle but faced no significant charges.
