Madison Cawthorn, the former Republican representative from North Carolina, found himself in legal trouble on Wednesday when he was apprehended in Florida due to an outstanding warrant from another county.
This warrant was issued after Cawthorn failed to appear in court, as reported by various news outlets.
The arrest took place in Cape Coral, Florida, where Cawthorn was detained for not attending a court hearing related to an August 19 citation for driving without a valid license, according to Gulf Coast News. The Lee County Sheriffs Office confirmed that the former congressman was subsequently released on a $2,000 bond.
Cawthorn's representatives explained the situation, stating, "Former Congressman, Madison Cawthorn, was arrested earlier today for failure to appear for a routine traffic infraction. Madison keeps a very busy schedule and, due to a scheduling misunderstanding, did not appear in court this morning. Following processing Madison was immediately released."
As reported by the Daily Caller, this incident coincides with Cawthorn's political aspirations, as he is reportedly preparing to run for Floridas 19th congressional district in 2026. This seat is currently held by Republican Rep. Byron Donalds, who has announced his intention to run for governor of Florida rather than seek reelection.
Cawthorn's political career has been marked by controversy. He served as the representative for North Carolinas 11th congressional district from 2021 to 2023. However, his tenure was cut short when he lost the Republican primary in 2022 to Chuck Edwards, amid a series of contentious events.
Notably, in a March 2022 interview, Cawthorn claimed that some congressional colleagues had invited him to an orgy and used cocaine in his presence. Furthermore, a confrontation with then-Rep. David McKinley of West Virginia led to an ethics complaint against Cawthorn, as reported by Politico in July 2021.
Adding to his legal woes, Cawthorn was accused of tailgating a woman and rear-ending a Florida Highway Patrol officer in Collier County in April 2024, according to the New York Post. Attempts to reach Cawthorn for comment were unsuccessful.
As Cawthorn navigates these challenges, his future political endeavors remain uncertain. The unfolding events will undoubtedly be closely watched by both his supporters and critics as he seeks to reestablish his political career.
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