Jim for Southwest Florida

Watch and hear from Jim’s wife, Carly

Meet Jim

A businessman, not a career politician

I'm a proud son of Southwest Florida. I was baptized at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Cape Coral and received my First Communion and Confirmation at St. Cecilia Catholic Church. I went to Bishop Verot High School, where I met my wife, Carly, and we were married at St. Columbkille Catholic Church. I earned my degree in Finance at Stetson University.

In 1996 I worked in Senator Connie Mack's Washington office, answering constituent mail and building databases to track how senators voted. I learned early that serving people means listening to them.

For years I've run Sun Broadcasting here at home, and through our radio station, 92.5 FOX News Radio, I've worked to build the conservative movement in Southwest Florida, including organizing a Tea Party rally at Centennial Park. The station has supported many veterans causes, and this past Fourth of July we helped raise the money for the largest American flag in Florida, right here in Cape Coral. It's the second largest in the country. Running for Congress is the next step in that work.

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

Born: Naples Community Hospital
School: Bishop Verot High School
College: Stetson University, Finance
Faith: Baptized at St. Andrew Catholic Church; First Communion and Confirmation at St. Cecilia Catholic Church; married at St. Columbkille Catholic Church
Business: President, Sun Broadcasting, Inc.
Water: Graduate of the first class of Preserving Paradise
Community: Honorary Trustee, Naples Children Foundation

The giant American flag at the Cape Coral Fourth of July celebration — The Cape Coral flag our station helped fund, Fourth of July 2026

Jim and Carly as high school students — High school sweethearts

Jim and Carly in college — In college, still together

Jim with family on a boat on the water — On the water in Southwest Florida

Jim Schwartzel with his grandfather, Colonel Floyd A. Peede Jr., in his Air Force dress uniform and medals — Jim with his grandfather, Colonel Floyd A. Peede Jr., USAF

35B-17 MISSIONS

My grandfather, Colonel Floyd A. Peede Jr., flew 35 missions over Europe as a B-17 pilot with the Eighth Air Force and served 30 years in the Air Force across three wars. His example is why I take this job seriously. He told me his story, and you can read it in his memoir, Fly High, Fly Low.

What I'll fight for

Southwest Florida first

Border Security

Secure the border and deport illegal immigrants

I'll stand with President Trump to secure our border, enforce our immigration laws and deport those who are here illegally.

Cost of Living

Lower the cost of living

Families here are paying too much for groceries, housing and insurance. I'll fight to bring those costs down.

Taxes

Make the Trump tax cuts permanent

I'll vote to make President Trump's tax cuts permanent so Southwest Florida families and small businesses keep more of what they earn.

Budget

Balance the budget and cut wasteful spending

Every family and business in Southwest Florida lives within its means. Washington should too. I'll vote to cut waste and balance the budget.

Economy

Get government out of the way

I'll push to cut regulations so local businesses can grow and invest here. 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.

Veterans