Mike Pedersen makes leap — literally — into growing CD 19 field

Retired Marine Mike Pedersen is jumping in — literally — to the race to succeed U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds.

The Cape Coral Republican announced his candidacy in Florida’s 19th Congressional District. He will launch the campaign formally Saturday with a spectacular stunt, skydiving from a WWII C-47 aircraft. He plans to fly with the Phantom Airborne Brigade and land in Lake Dora, northwest of Orlando.

The event will highlight Pedersen’s military background as a Marine Aviator; he served as a Marine Corps F-4 RIO and F/A-18D WSO.

“I am in a comfortable spot in my life right now. Elsa and I have been happily married for 40 years. We have three highly successful married children who gifted us with 8 beautiful grandchildren,” Pedersen said.

“Florida has been my home state for most of my life and I’m not done giving back. I’m running because I know that our SW Florida community deserves a congressional representative who truly knows what it is to serve, who has longevity in the district, and who understands our people and our precious environment. I will defend our Constitutional Republic and be a voice for our Republican Party.”

The Top Gun program graduate has lived in Cape Coral for 26 years. During his service, he was deployed to the Western Pacific and also participated in Operation Desert Storm. He earned awards on three occasions for personal valor while flying 66 combat missions as an Airborne Forward Air Controller over Kuwait.

After his time in uniform, Pedersen worked 22 years in pharmaceuticals, primarily in women’s health care. He was also a youth boxing coach with the Cape Coral Police and a wrestling coach at Mariner High.

Donalds is not seeking re-election and is instead mounting a campaign for Governor in 2026.

That leaves the seat open in a reliably red portion of the state.

Pedersen is entering an increasingly crowded field. Former Illinois state Sen. Jim Oberweis filed for the seat in March. South Florida activist Johnny Fratto, who previously ran in the neighboring Florida’s 26th Congressional District, has also filed, as has Sun Broadcasting President Jim Schwartzel.

Democrat Howard Sapp also filed for the seat.