Madison Cawthorn Arrested Ahead Of Reported Political Comeback

Former North Carolina Republican Rep. Madison Cawthorn was arrested Wednesday in Florida on an out-of-county warrant after he failed to show up in court, according to news coverage.

Cawthorn was arrested Wednesday morning in Cape Coral for failing to make an appearance in court over an Aug. 19 citation for driving without a valid license, according to Gulf Coast News. The former one-term congressman was later released on a $2,000 bond, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Gulf Coast News reported.

“Former Congressman, Madison Cawthorn, was arrested earlier today for failure to appear for a routine traffic infraction,” Cawthorn’s representatives said in a statement provided to Gulf Coast News. “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.”

The arrest comes after Axios reported on Sept. 3 that Cawthorn is preparing to launch a 2026 bid for Florida’s 19th congressional district. The open seat is currently held by Republican Rep. Byron Donalds, who announced