Republican candidates pour millions into Florida's District 22 race

In Florida, the newly drawn Congressional District 22 is attracting millions in campaign spending as a crowded Republican primary takes shape. The district, designed to favor Republicans, features candidates like Michael Carbonara and Belinda Keiser, both of whom have invested heavily in their campaigns. On the Democratic side, Pia Dandiya is positioned for a serious run, backed by financial support. Candidates are focusing on key issues such as housing and economic policies as they prepare for the upcoming primary election.

Republican candidates pour millions into Florida's District 22 race
1 source
politics Published Aug 7, 2026

Topic overview

In brief

  • Florida's Congressional District 22 is experiencing a surge in campaign spending and candidate interest.
  • Leading Republican candidates include Michael Carbonara and Belinda Keiser, both of whom have invested millions in their campaigns.
  • The race is highly competitive, with significant implications for the upcoming general election.

Summary

In Florida, the newly drawn Congressional District 22 has become a focal point for political activity, attracting significant financial investments and a crowded field of candidates. Stretching from Palm Beach County to Marco Island, this district was designed to favor Republican candidates, leading to a competitive primary race. Among the leading candidates are Michael Carbonara, an entrepreneur in financial technology, and Belinda Keiser, the vice chancellor of Keiser University. Both candidates identify as staunch Trump Republicans, despite Keiser's previous affiliation with the Democratic Party, which she acknowledges but claims is behind her now.

The Republican primary also includes other candidates such as Naples businessman Casey Askar, David Burck, Richard Evans, Terri Hasdorf, and Michael Thompson. Notably, none of these candidates have received endorsements from former President Donald Trump, which could impact their campaigns. Carbonara, Keiser, and Askar have each invested millions of their own funds into their campaigns, indicating a high-stakes race for the Republican nomination.

Key entities

How Mestios works We aggregate coverage, extract key information, and use AI to summarize and compare perspectives. Learn more

Updated Aug 7, 2026

AI-generated summary. Please verify important information from original sources.