Jim Schwartzel
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Jim Schwartzel | |
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| Born | James W. Schwartzel Naples, Florida, U.S. |
| Education | Bishop Verot High School Stetson University |
| Occupation | Businessman, media executive |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Carly Schwartzel |
| Children | 2 |
| Website | www |
James W. "Jim" Schwartzel is an American businessman, media executive, and politician. He is the president of Sun Broadcasting, a media company operating radio and television stations in the Fort Myers-Naples market in Southwest Florida.[1] Schwartzel is a candidate for the United States House of Representatives in Florida's 19th congressional district in the 2026 election.[2]
Early life and education
Schwartzel was born in Naples, Florida, and is a lifelong resident of Southwest Florida.[3] He graduated from Bishop Verot High School and attended Stetson University.[4]
Business career
Schwartzel is the president of Sun Broadcasting, operating in the Fort Myers-Naples market.[5] The company owns radio stations including 92.5 FOX News (WFSX-FM), a conservative talk radio station featuring hosts like Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck; Fly 98.5 (WFFY-FM); Trump Country 93.7 (WHEL-FM); and 94.5 The Arrow (WARO-FM).[6] In August 2025, Sun Broadcasting agreed to acquire Beasley Media Group's Southwest Florida radio properties.[7]
Sun Broadcasting also owns television stations including WXCW (The CW affiliate), WFTX (FOX 4, acquired in 2025 for $40 million from E.W. Scripps), and low-power stations such as WUVF-LD (Univision/UniMás), WANA-LD, and WLZE-LD.[8][9]
Additionally, Schwartzel owns Gulfshore Life Media, which publishes magazines including Gulfshore Life, Gulfshore Business, and The Naples Press.[10][11]
Political career
In April 2025, Schwartzel announced his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives in Florida's 19th congressional district as a Republican, seeking to succeed Byron Donalds.[12][13] He positions himself as a conservative outsider and businessman, focusing on issues such as securing the border, supporting law enforcement, defending free speech, advocating for term limits, and protecting the economy from wasteful spending.[14][15]
As of July 2025, his campaign had raised $1.2 million, including a $1 million personal loan.[16][17]
Awards
In 2023, Schwartzel received the Pete Weitzel Friend of the First Amendment Award from the First Amendment Foundation for his opposition to Florida House Bill 991, which aimed to ease libel lawsuits and was seen as a threat to free speech.[18]
Personal life
Schwartzel is married to his high school sweetheart, Carly, and they have two children: one attending Stetson University and the other at Florida SouthWestern State College.[19]
References
- ↑ "Sun Broadcasting Chief Jim Schwartzel Announces Congressional Bid". Insideradio.com. October 13, 2025. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
- ↑ "Media mogul Jim Schwartzel files to succeed Byron Donalds in Congress". Florida Politics. April 11, 2025. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
- ↑ "Meet Jim". Jim Schwartzel for Congress. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
- ↑ "Meet Jim". Jim Schwartzel for Congress. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
- ↑ "Scripps agrees to sell WFTX in Fort Myers-Naples to Sun Broadcasting for $40 million". Scripps. September 3, 2025. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
- ↑ "After Beasley Deal, Sun Broadcasting Bulk-Ups In Fort Myers-Naples". Insideradio.com. September 4, 2025. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
- ↑ "Beasley Agrees To Sell Its Southwest Fla. Radio Properties". Radio & Television Business Report. August 12, 2025. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
- ↑ "Sun Broadcasting to acquire Fox 4 WFTX in $40M deal". The News-Press. September 12, 2025. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
- ↑ "WXCW". Wikipedia. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
- ↑ "Meet Jim". Jim Schwartzel for Congress. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
- ↑ "Jim Schwartzel enters race to replace Rep. Byron Donalds in Florida's 19th Congressional District". FL Voice News. April 11, 2025. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
- ↑ "Sun Broadcasting president Jim Schwartzel announces run for Congress". WINK News. April 11, 2025. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
- ↑ "Media mogul Jim Schwartzel files to succeed Byron Donalds in Congress". Florida Politics. April 11, 2025. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
- ↑ "Meet Jim". Jim Schwartzel for Congress. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
- ↑ "Jim Schwartzel Pledges to Support Term Limits on Congress". U.S. Term Limits. July 16, 2025. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
- ↑ "Thanks to $1M loan, Jim Schwartzel posts a $1.2M quarter in race to succeed Byron Donalds". Florida Politics. July 21, 2025. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
- ↑ "Jim Schwartzel posts $1.2M haul in Florida GOP House primary, touts outsider status in SWFL district". FL Voice News. July 21, 2025. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
- ↑ "FAF names James W. Schwartzel the winner of the 2023 Pete Weitzel Friend of the First Amendment Award". First Amendment Foundation. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
- ↑ "Meet Jim". Jim Schwartzel for Congress. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
External links
This article "Jim Schwartzel" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical. Articles taken from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be accessed on Wikipedia's Draft Namespace.