Connie Mack News

Scott McIntyre/Staff Supporters gather in a ballroom at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point awaiting results for candidate Curt Clawson at his election party for the special Congressional District 19 Republican primary election.

Republicans may be ready to turn to a self-styled "outsider" to replace disgraced former Rep. Trey Radel .

Florida District 19 Congressional candidate Curt Clawson speaks at a Tea Party Express rally behind the Estero Community Park rec center on Saturday, April 18, 2014.

As Tuesday's Republican primary in Florida's 19th Congressional District draws closer, the momentum is with Curt Clawson, first-time candidate and self-styled "outsider for Congress," over two candidates who have held office.

Former Rep. Trey Radel is refunding contributors more than $63,000, according to the latest campaign finance report filed by the Florida Republican, who gave up his seat in January after pleading guilty to a drug charge.

With a week to go in the Republican primary to replace former U.S. Rep. Trey Radel, R-Fla., in Congress, the three leading candidates spent the first half of this week looking to reinforce their conservative credentials by touting out endorsements and showcasing their pro-life stances.

Even as they increasingly cede the U.S. House will stay under Republican control, Democrats have high hopes for Gwen Graham as she looks to defeat Steve Southerland in the Big Bend.

In a release to Southwest Florida media outlets, Senator Paul stated: "Washington is desperate for outside leadership; Curt Clawson is an outsider who will bring refreshing ideas to the halls of Congress.

In this Feb. 23, 2014 photo, Jason Ravnsborg, a Yankton attorney and soldier, talks about his candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Tim Johnson in Sioux Falls, S.D. Ravnsborg will face four opponents in the Republican primary on June 3. Like all of the Republicans running for U.S. Senate in South Dakota, Jason Ravnsborg says he ... (more)

The final day of the legislative session ended last night with the Alabama House of Representatives passing the Education Trust Fund Budget, SB 184 after it came out of a conference committee with the Alabama Senate.

How Southwest Floridians view Wednesday's Supreme Court ruling on political contributions mirrors how most of the nation is reacting to the decision: Republicans see it as further validation of the First Amendment.

In the summer of 2004 while I laid in an induced coma at a local hospital, my doctors gave my wife a difficult choice.

Four years ago, a CBS News/ New York Times poll found that 43 percent of Americans said that immigrants in the United States illegally should be able to stay and apply for citizenship.